Sure, it’s a chick flick, and yes, you’ll know exactly how the movie will end before the first five minutes are over, but don’t be too hasty to discount this year’s first romantic comedy- Leap Year.  Directed by Anand Tucker, this movie truly exemplifies why romantic comedies fail to lose their ever-rising popularity amongst moviegoers. 

      When uptight, perfect-haired boyfriend Jeremy (Adam Scott) fails to surprise Anna (Amy Adams) with the proposal she has been anxiously waiting for, Anna decides to take matters in her own hands.  After initially scorning an Irish legend that a woman can successfully propose to her boyfriend on leap day, Anna resolves to fly across the world to Jeremy to ensure her engagement.  However, her plans are abruptly derailed when a severe storm causes the plane to land in Wales.  Still desperate, Anna acquires the help of a sullen Irish innkeeper, Declan (Matthew Goode). As February 29^th nears, and Anna is forced to spend more time with Declan, she begins to be sucked into the enticing Irish countryside and wonders if she really wants to be engaged to Jeremy.

      With its undeniable Irish charm, Leap Year definitely kept every moviegoer, man or woman, laughing throughout the movie. However, it was definitely the talented actors that breathed life to its highly clichéd script.  Amy Adams supplied much-needed emotion  with her bubbly personality and her quirky physical comedy.  Her counterpart, Matthew Goode, also successfully kept viewers entertained with his unquestionable charisma and accurate impersonation of a grumpy Irish innkeeper.

      Ultimately, Leap Year has the perfect combination of hilarity and romance to please any crowd. Adams and Goode  are endearing, and the Irish countryside backdrop makes for a highly breathtaking view. If you can look past the hackneyed script and the inevitable ending, Leap Year did quite well as the first romantic comedy of 2010.  

Rating: B