Soundtrack Review: Leap Year (2010)

Leap Year Soundtrack Review: This is a review of the film score Leap Year by Randy Edelman.

"The Irish tones are unmistakable, but there's a lot more to Leap Year."

Leap Year: A year containing an extra day in order to keep the calendar year synchronized with the astronomical or seasonal year. That means February has 29 days instead of 28 this year. It only happens once every 4 years. The movie is set in Ireland as the main character, played by Amy Adams, is set to propose to her man on February 29. Of course things don't go as planned and she is hurdled across Ireland in a funny and romantic comedy. Randy Edelman is the composer and with the Irish roots we should expect something great.

Track List

It's always good to have Randy Edelman back. I remember in the early days of Soundtrackgeek back in January 2008 I reviewed a romantic comedy score by Edelman called 27 Dresses. I found it a bit lacking, but there were signs of the old Edelman who could compose some of the best themes in the world. Now it's 2010 and Leap Year apparently, and this time he doesn't skimp on the theme, nor the score. The Irish tones are unmistakable, but there's a lot more to Leap Year.

Hopeless Romantic

On an emotional level it hits me and being the hopeless romantic that I am, I find Leap Year both charming and lovely. I used to live in Ireland a few years ago and this score brings me right back to the shores of that beautiful country. It's amazing how a score can touch you like this, but Edelman has done it with Leap Year. He mixes some traditional Irish music with Hollywood orchestras and themes that not only sound great, but have a clear purpose. The parts that give me goosebumps are the orchestral parts that truly shows Edelman's skills as a composer. He is truly given us more than we ordered this time.

'Anna's Theme' introduces us to the main theme which we will hear more times throughout the score. It is both uplifting and beautiful. The light piano played upon an underscore of guitar is just what the doctor ordered. Despite the complexity of the theme it's as simple as only Edelman could do it. It is made to play you on an emotional level and it succeeds. In 'A Leap Year Promise' is played on a much slower temp, but still just as beautiful. I mentioned that it has some traditional Irish sounds as well. You can hear it mixed with Edelman's orchestral theme in 'Stoney Road to Dublin'. He doesn't go half-assed into it as 'Racing for the Train' and 'Cross Bow' bpth show. It really sounds properly Irish, and not quite like a Hollywood movie.

Conclusion

Yes Edelman has succeeded on almost every level. A wonderfully romantic and charming score that is deeply tied with Irish roots. What more can you ask for? It is a long score and it has 33 cues so naturally not everything is great, but what is great is more than worth it in my opinion. I love Leap Year, I really do and I'm glad Randy Edelman still has what it takes to keep up with the Hollywood favorites.

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Listen to the Leap Year soundtrack by Randy Edelman below: