What Is the Story About?
Netflix’s new rom-com ‘Irish Wish’ is a part fantasy part reality story, set in the pristine backdrop of Ireland. Maddie Kelly (Lindsay Lohan) is the editor of Irish author Paul Kennedy’s (Alexander Vlahos) wildly successful romantic novel. She’s also secretly in love with him and hopes to marry him. But unfortunately, he falls for her best friend Emma (Elizabeth Tan).
In Ireland for their lavish wedding, Maddie has a run-in with footloose and fancy-free photographer James (Ed Speleers). A fanciful turn of events involving wishes and Saint Brigid, the patroness saint of Ireland, has Maddie becoming Paul’s bride-to-be in place of Emma. But is that what her heart really wants?
Performances?
Lindsay Lohan literally lights up the screen every time she walks into a frame. If nothing else, this movie is confirmation that Lohan still has what it takes to charm viewers of every age. Now all she needs to get back into the game is a far more meaty and meaningful movie to sharpen her skill further. In the meantime, she’ll have to make do with Netflix’s vacuous romantic dramas.
Ed Speleers is charming as the unmoored nature photographer James Thomas. His scenes with Lindsay Lohan are fun to watch. What’s more, the pair shares a clearly apparent chemistry, lending credence to the romantic angle of the story. The rest of the cast, including Alexander Vlahos, Elizabeth Tan and popular chef Ayesha Curry as Maddie’s other best friend Heather, is passable at best.
Analysis
Irish Wish can hardly be called the perfect stepping stone for Lindsay Lohan’s baby steps into another shot at acting. Heck, the terribly-written movie is not the ideal comeback vehicle for any actor, let alone a bad-choices-magnet like Lindsay Lohan.
To be honest, nothing works in Irish Wish – not the done-to-death plot; not the mediocre supporting actors; not the abominable dress-designs; and certainly not the bland and insipid romance. The movie is so boring that our fingers itched to switch it off several times during the runtime, despite it being a relatively short movie at 90 minutes. Thank heavens that the makers deemed it fit to keep it short – one thing they did get right in the movie.
The fantastical Saint Brigid is an abomination – she’s more irritating than cute. That she’s a key driving factor of the story is another element of Irish Wish that just doesn’t work. She’s also distinctly dull and terribly dressed to boot. Come to think of it, the clothes she’s made to wear throughout the movie are shoddily-designed, badly-cut versions of the Indian “salwar kameez”. Have a look at the said lady in the movie, and you too will agree.
The only good thing about Irish Wish are the mesmerising visuals – they’re simply breath-taking. Cinematographer Graham Robbins has done a wonderful job of capturing the scenic beauty of the pristine countryside and craggy coastline.
To sum it up, watching Irish Wish is sheer waste of time. Watch it if you must, but don’t say we didn’t warn you.
Music and Other Departments?
Nathan Lanier’s musical score for Irish Wish is peppy and nice. The beats of the Irish pieces are lovely, as is the use of retro songs. At some places in the narrative, the upbeat rousing music is too in your face, designed to make us feel things we don’t want or intend to.
Highlights?
Lindsay Lohan’s charming-as-ever screen presence
The breathtaking cinematography
Drawbacks?
Done-to-death plot
Boring storytelling
Terrible performances of the supporting cast
Pathetic costume design
And much more.
Did I Enjoy It?
No
Will You Recommend It?
No
Irish Wish Movie Review by Binged Bureau
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