The Phantom Tollbooth - Movies Reviews Index


Home Subscribe About Us Features News Album Reviews Movie Reviews Past Movies Movie Resources Concert Reviews Book Reviews Top 10 Contact Us	Leap Year There is a sucker born every minute. Popular quote from a man who made millions off of that assumption. Hollywood has done well for themselves due to the fact that obviously there are suckers for romantic comedies born even quicker. And there is no shame in being included in that group. The Romantic Comedy is a genre bred for those who still believe that love can spring forth from any well. Regardless of how shallow it might be. In the new sucker magnet, Leap Year, the well is an Irish spring. Anna (Amy Adams) is a detail oriented, hard working, lover of the finer things, Boston lass. Her boyfriend of four years is dragging his feet when it comes to popping the question. Anna decides to surprise him while he is in Ireland on business and take advantage of an old tradition. Wherein, women can ask for the man's hand once every four years. Getting to Dublin though seems to be the hardest part and she runs into one snag after another. When she takes on the help of an Irish lad (Matthew Goode) who is rough around the crust to get her there, it doesn't go any smoother. Amy Adams is the reason this movie succeeds. She has a magic about her that lights up any film. She is endearing and sincere. Even when playing a snoot. Adams is heartwarming and honest in her work and it shows up in her character. I wasn't sure how Goode would do in the romance realm. Yes he is a heart throb but can he pull of the comedy dialogue and make it sell-able? That was the key. And he does. Having his character be a little rough and not gushing helped. Rated PG for sensuality and language. It is very tame and, other than a few mild expletives, completely harmless. This movie has a few things going for it. Other than Adams, the scenery and characters of Ireland plus the soundtrack through out help make this one likable. I give it 3 out of 5 Louies. It surely doesn't break any molds or excel beyond the norm but it serves the genre well and eases us into the new year with a bit of a laugh and a reflection on the important things in life. And that is never a bad thing. So says Matt Mungle Matt Mungle Review copyright 2010 Mungleshow Productions. Used by Permission.