Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Ananda Everingham co-starred in this romantic love story with Li Lin. Based on a novella by well-acclaimed writer, Dr Catherine Lim, the story talks about a young Singaporean girl having chance upon her special someone on 29th February. She decides to base her intuition on an Irish leap year tradition that no man will refuse any request of a lady and invites him out for a date. Together, they embark on a romantic journey that spans over 12 years, meeting only thrice in 12 years, on the leap year. The delightful draw being the leap yearly meet-ups is sure to entice the special someone out there in all of us.

The Leap Years tells 2 stories in parallel, but both centered on Li-Ann and her friends through a period of 16 years (4 leap years in total), consisting almost every boy-finds-girl-loves-loses-etc plot point you can think of. And for the most parts, it was almost like a self-fulfilling prophecy of a fortune teller's advice to Li- Ann on her love being one like the wind, which delivered yet another set of clichés like Windows Cafe, mini toy windmills, and moments where long hair gets swept away like Bollywood movies.

It's almost like a typical romantic chick flick with the whispers of sweet nothings, promises made, and the quintessential scenes of shopping and lots of clothes. The soundtrack is chock full of lovely ballads by Corrine May, and you'd probably would be enthralled by how familiar locations become quite the romantic backdrops in the movie. Familiar also applies to the supporting cast, with the likes of Nadya Hutagalong and Vernetta Lopez playing good friends, as does Qi Yu Wu as KS.

I thought KS was a source of inspiration for those out there still carrying torches for others. It was an easy anchor point for me to dive right into the movie, with the classical example of loving someone who obviously doesn't love you back, and there comes a point in time where you have to wake up and realize your futile efforts. The reality of it is harsh and cruel at that point in time, but to be able to find strength and pick yourself up, that's quite an achievement in itself.

It's seriously set me thinking and reflecting during the movie. It takes someone bravery to not get into a relationship for the sake of it when everyone else is doing it. Love is something that makes you forget everything else in the past,exs etc. I mean i was deeply touched when they meet only once every four years yet their love remained steadfast. Cant deny the fact that it is one emotional story. When you are lonely it's not necesary to think of getting into a relationship. Friends(true ones) they are around to help you to listen to you to spend time listening to your troubles. Don't hurt someone if you take a relationship as a hobby, as a way of spending time, as a way to get rid of boredom,loneliness etc. Love is a scared thing, don't destroy it's beautiful potrait.