Engagement in a roundabout way

Romantic comedies rarely offer any real surprises. Few other genres so predictably offer the inclined viewer what he/she expects. And so it comes as little surprise that "Apromotion in a Roundabout Way"doesn't have much more to offer than well-worn clichés - and that the film is still a lot of fun.

Anna (Amy Adams) likes to be in control of her life. And since her boyfriend Jeremy (Adam Scott) just can't seem to get his act together, she just wants to take charge herself after four years of dating and propose to him. The fact that he's currently at a medical conference in Dublin is a perfect fit, because following an old Irish tradition, women propose to their lovers there on February 29. Everything seems to be going as Anna planned, until the Irish weather gets in the way and prevents her from flying straight to Dublin. Stranded somewhere in Wales, Anna must enlist the help of rough-around-the-edges but somehow charming pub owner Decaln (Matthew Goode), who offers to drive her to Dublin for $500. But how could it be otherwise: on the trip everything goes wrong that can go wrong and soon the mismatched couple wishes the plague on each other. But as they say: love and hate are very close together...

"Engagement in a roundabout way" is a nice film, nothing more, but also nothing less. Wonderful shots of the Irish countryside, an entertaining play on various cultural prejudices and charming lead actors comfort over many a cliché. Also recurring gags, like the regulars from Declan's pub, who always argue about the correct wording of truisms, or supporting characters like Anna's father, wonderfully portrayed by John Lithgow, make the film an endearing cinematic pleasure.

director Anand Tucker routinely guides his cast through the entertaining, albeit low-surprise script and even manages to conjure up genuinely enchanting romance on screen at a few moments. It is then also these moments, in which it tingles between the enchanting Amy Adams and the charming Matthew Goode ("Watchmen"), something that the film lacks a little at the beginning.

"Enterprise in a roundabout way" can be recommended to all friends of romantic comedies. Because who does not expect more than beautiful pictures, some kitsch and sympathetic actors to get offered, is served here really best. Worth seeing

An article by Frankfurt-Tipp