I mean she was with her boyfriend for 4 years and she dumped him for a guy she met in 2 days and they spent half the film making fun of each other, and then she ended up marrying him after 2 frikin days.
I think it would make better sense even if she did have to dump her boyfriend as he was quite nice, a bit safe maybe but just go out with Declan but no marry him, just a reunion where they kiss.
Team Edward
Kristen's mafia#52
Proud to be a Krisbian.
The movie sure does leave quite a bit to be desired, and the fault lies with the feeble script and lazy attempt at character development. It's still a watchable, light-hearted and endearing movie, but oh boy, it could really have been something memorable had it had an inspired script and impeccable direction.
I too was quite surprised when Declan readily popped the question within minutes of their reunion. But the thing is, that development could have been made more believable if only the producers had provided us with convincing and elaborate dialogue and a more in-depth backstory. Try fleshing out Jeremy and Anna's relationship-of-convenience a little more; try conveying Anna's inner thoughts and reflections with regard to the unvarnished, easygoing lifestyle of the Irish countryside.
Anna said that she had everything she ever wanted but nothing she really needed, and maybe that explanation was enough for her, but I think the viewers needed more. She finally had what she had not simply because she desired them, but because they fulfilled her 'hierarchy of needs' to a certain level. She needed the security and protection represented by her status-symbol possessions and Jeremy's high-earning and stable profession - these things fulfilled the more basic needs of what her life required. But she needed more (and they should've explored that).
Jeremy gave her no security in her need to feel loved and belonged, which affected her self-esteem, or lack thereof. We're shown, limitedly, how Anna was always restrained around him, never expressing her thoughts or complaints. Now compare that to how relatively unbridled her emotions were when she was with Declan. She was almost like Icarus who just discovered freedom and wanted to flap his wings. It's too bad that these themes were never quite brought to the fore and had to be inferred more often than not.
In any case, even with the underdeveloped script that we got, we can conclude that there's a lot that Declan could offer Anna to make her take such a leap of faith. I think she realized in the end how she'd been so engrossed in securing a sense of economic safety that she'd set the higher levels of her needs (like love, belonging, and self-actualization) dormant. She acknowledged that enough-and-not-abundant was all she needed to feel financially safe, but all-of-the-other-person (and not just his social status) was what she needed to be emotionally secure.
So I like the scene in the restaurant as she proposes 'to not make plans' because it shows just how secure she has become with her feelings for Declan that she's willing to simply "let it work out how it works out". Although of course she's one woman ready for marriage, and Declan knows that. Even only after a short period of time you can know a person well enough when his/her true character is exposed through challenges and soul-revealing experiences. As well, I think Anna brought herself to his playing field when she made her proposal, but Declan then decided to cut to the chase and get to the heart of his heart. After all, he'd also had marriage in mind.
@S-Ach
Wow, I think you got it fully correct on how Anna is and feel at the end of the story.
As for the ending itself, I was not really surpised by Declan's proposal. It seems more logical and predictable to me. And I do understand why Anna said yes to his marriage proposal.
Let we look at it from Declan's point of view.
Declan's heart was really hurt by his ex-financee. It was so bad that he lost all faith in women (and lost faith in love also, I think). Then along came Anna and they went on a journey together. He likes playing pranks on Anna, but as the more time he spends with Anna, he gets to understand her more. He sees her true side. A sweet, honest, warm women looking for love. He found his heart full of love again for thie stranger he has just known in 2-3 days. Anna shows compassion to him when he told her about his ex-fiancee and also encourage him to get his mother's Claddagh ring back. As Declan has said himself, the ring is the most important thing in his life (the only thing he would grab if his house was on fire and he has 60 seconds). Declan realized that Anna is the only one he truely loves. However, when they finally arrived in Dublin, his heart was broken again. Jeremy *cough* the jerk *cough* shows up and proposed to Anna, which took away Declan's chance to talk things out with Anna. Declan probably thought he would not see Anna again in his life, but he still follows Anna's advice/encouragement and get his ring back and heads back to Dingle to fight for his bar (I think Anna did have a positive influence on him after all). And then after some time, Anna did return to him. She told him that she broke up with Jeremy and that Declan is the only thing she needs in her life. I think at that moment, Declan is fully aware of the fact that Anna is indeed his true love and his destiny. Where his ex-fiancee Kayleigh left him and never comes back, Anna did the opposite. He knows this is his last chance, so he took charge of it and proposes to her. Furthermore, as like you said, when Anna proposes to him, she entered his playing ground and he knows that Anna was ready for marriage. So it was a sure win for him. (although I do not like the idea, but I think she was really at his mercy when she make her proposal. Luckily he truly love her and proposes because of real love).
Now from Anna's point of view.
At the end of the story Anna realize she had everything she ever wanted (which Jeremy could give her), but nothing she really needed (which only Declan can provide to her). She gave up everything (financial and economic security) and went on to chase the only thing left in her life (true love with Declan). So when she returned to Declan and made the proposal 'not to make any plans', she was secure in the fact that Declan is the love of her life. But she was not fully sure if Declan still wants her (she did accept the other guy's proposal first). When he left her standing in the restaurant, she was hurt (maybe nearly suicidal, because no one wants her?). Then he showed up, rejected her proposal and said he wants to make plans with her and propose marriage to her with the most important thing he has. This justifies the fact that she will be the most important thing in his life. And that is what she really needed (to be loved and desired). I think that is reason enough for her to accept the proposal. She has always wanted and waited for the proposal from her 'perfect' guy. Now the love of her life proposed to her with his most important thing he has. She can not pass up for this proposal.