LEAP YEAR - Dingle, Ireland

Leap year happens every four years and mainly that's the reason why this movie tickled me to write another blog about life's romance. It's been a while since I was smitten by a light romantic movie and the last one was 500 Days of Summer. That movie got a fresh review from rottentomatoes.com while this movie was declared rotten by the reviewers. For some reason I was really captivated by this film especially the actor and the setting. I just can't wait to share my point-of-view about this movie and how it can correlates to ones life.

The movie is mainly about the Irish legend that a girl can propose to a man on a leap year which is on the 29th of February and he must accept it as the tradition goes. The movie was set in the picturesque Galway Count, Dingle Peninsula to Dublin, Ireland. Movie flicks said that it's a total rip-off of the film "Jab we met" an Indian movie shown on year 2007 which I don't mind.

Meet Ana (Amy Adams - Julie & Julia) from Boston, in a relationship for 4 years and waiting for her boyfriend Jeremy (a cardiologist) to propose to her on their anniversary. Sadly instead of a ring the guy gave her a nice pair of earrings. Since then Ana was distracted by her Dad's story that her Grand Ma proposed to her Grand Pa on a leap year just like the Irish tradition. So she decided to fly to Dublin where her boyfriend was having a convention. On her way to Dublin the storm led the plane to divert its destination to Wales. From there Ana took a boat to Dingle. She was stranded on a restaurant to look for a help on how to go to Dublin.

From the Dingle Peninsula country side, let's meet Declan (Matthew Goode, an English actor) an Irish inn owner where Ana got stranded and He's the only person who could possibly help her. Declan helped her to make an unexpected cross-country trek to pull off the perfect marriage proposal in time. Their journey began as they both begin to fell for each other on their way to Dublin.

I find it really raw and real when a stranger will curiously ask you about your reason to propose to a man. Ana just said, it's romantic. Declan said, I think that's the most stupid thing I've ever heard. And for me it's the most desperate move a woman can do and it's just an excuse to pull a man who is not ready to marry you by asking him to marry you instead. The saga continues and there was this moment when they were climbing the castle on the hill and Declan asked Ana, "If your house is burning, what are you going to take?" Ana just find it a silly question that she didn't reply.

Ana missed her train going to Dublin from Dingle and ended up having an overnight stay at the best Bread & Breakfast house with Declan. They pretended to be a couple due to the disclaimer the owner had in the beginning. It was funny to see them with bits of bubbly romantic feud that its very predictable but I don't really mind. I was struck by this movie that I can't believe that I'm totally sharing the details and I don't know why I couldn't get my mind off it.

The cooking scene they have there is a hell yeah thrilling & giggling scene for me. Maybe I can relate to Declan because I cook also and it's just nice to share one moment of your life cooking with someone you are totally infatuated or just someone you tremendously like. How lovely to pick and analyze carrots from the backyard to the moment of chopping it and cooking the food for dinner. I can imagine that moment could also happen to me and whoah, I'm sure it wouldn't be a cooking disaster but will have a result of a delectable dish!

Meanwhile this is my favorite part where in the tension at the dinner table began and the romantic plot ascended to its maximum level. They were having dinner on table with two other couples and those couples began kissing each other intimately that the B&B owner dictated Declan to kiss his dummy wife. It was an awkward and blurry moment that this man cannot decide whether he'll do it or not. But yes he did give Ana a smack on the cheek. Quite unfair for the couples watching them, the man demanded for a real kiss. Then yes, it did happen like the picture shown below. It was very spontaneous that I couldn't imagine how many butterflies in my stomach were all flying. I giggled and my heart was pulsating than my average heartbeat.

The best thing one can get when you like or love someone is a spontaneous kiss. It maybe awkward after it, but what will constantly replay in your mind is the tender, passionate and intimate gesture that both of you shared on that moment. Moment like this doesn't happen everyday that you are dictated to kiss a stranger and bang the magic will just take you somewhere you have never been. We can intimately kiss a hundred or thousand people in our whole life time but they say you can just brush it away with your toothbrush. But one kiss will definitely be unforgettable that you can't afford to let go of.

Going back to the story, Ana finally got her ticket to go to Dublin and Declan was ready to set her off. Ana on the contrary asked him to accompany her to Dublin. They finally arrived at Ana's destination and they walked around and stopped in a park. Declan revealed his answer to his own question. If my house is about to get burn and I have 60 seconds to get something, I'll get my Grand Ma's ring.

Finally Ana met her Jeremy in the hotel and the guy proposed to her infront of all the people in the hotel while Ana took awhile before she gave her answer. She looked back where Declan was standing and she found the man was gone. But later on Ana found out that the marriage proposal from her boyfriend was just merely based on the house that he purchased. Ana realized something when she was in the moment when their house was about to get burn and she thought of the 60 second thing that Declan asked her. She realized what she needs to get is back there in Ireland. She flew again to Ireland and gave a proposal to Declan in front of a lot of people in the restaurant. Declan didn't say anything and went away. Ana felt humiliated and realized that she just got an Irish "NO."

But the story didn't ended sad. Declan chased her and explained why he walked away and that is to get the ring and after that he proposed to Ana. It's unfathomable why I am so enticed with this movie. The set up and all. I know there's nothing new, even the story plot is just a rip-off but the Ireland factor is the main reason I am so struck with this film. I am going to United Kingdom sometime September to pursue my dream and someone just told me maybe what I am looking for is just there waiting for me. I blushed last night when this guy told me that an English man could steal my heart away or I just have to be in the right place, right time and with the right company. Could he be an Irish or my man is just from the land of my favorite football player with an Irish decent.

I don't know what life brings. But after watching this film it was reinforced in my mind that there are millions of possibilities in your life that could happen and can totally change your fate. Even if you are with someone, doesn't guarantee that he's the one. I must say. Or it doesn't mean if you don't have someone will guarantee that you will never find the one. Life doesn't guarantee anything. Don't make promises... just try and things can happen in the most unexpected way.

This must be the longest blog I have ever written. I am just happy today since I had my pizza and beer last night that led me to finally write my opinion about this current favorite movie of mine. My joys are still in my system. The weather is gloomy but nice to cuddle with. If this movie is a man, I am definitely in love with him.

Ciao compagni! :-)

hugs,
joanie xxx