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American women with red hair traveling to Ireland are still being plagued by terrible romantic comedies with a magic theme, even 14 years after Amy Adams suffered through the detestable film Leap Year. Despite having less to lose, as Adams was a two-time Oscar nominee starring in her first romantic comedy, the end result is still underwhelming. The film feels more like a convincing advertisement for tourism rather than a genuine movie.
This may have seemed like a significant achievement for actress Lindsay Lohan a few years ago, as she was still trying to make a comeback in the entertainment industry. She had made some poor choices in her films, personal life, and behavior, resulting in her being deemed uninsurable and shunned by the industry. Despite being a victim of the industry’s unrealistic standards for young stars, 2022 gave her the opportunity to make a comeback through Netflix’s popular holiday romantic comedy, “Falling for Christmas.” While the movie was forgettable like many of Netflix’s other festive films, it marked Lohan’s first leading role in nearly a decade and was reportedly the most-watched new Christmas movie that year.
She should have been satisfied with the improvement in her status and moved on from trivial matters that she once looked down upon. However, she has returned for a second attempt in the film “Irish Wish,” which is even more uneventful than her previous one. The excuse of the holiday season may have been more understandable in her last Netflix romantic comedy, as many mediocre films are given a pass due to the festive atmosphere. However, without the distraction of bright colors and Christmas music, we are forced to pay attention to the aspects that the producers would rather we not notice.
The release of the movie Irish Wish may be linked to St. Patrick’s Day, but besides the setting, it has little connection to Ireland. The plot follows Maddie, a book editor who is in love with her Irish author. She goes on a holiday to Ireland with her friends and meets a charming Englishman, but things take an unexpected turn when she makes a wish on a magical stone to become the bride. Despite some red flags, Maddie continues to deceive her friends and family about her true feelings. The movie has a similar storyline to 27 Dresses, with a love triangle and a wedding in Ireland. Overall, Irish Wish is a cheesy and cliche romantic comedy with a predictable plot.
If that didn’t give you a clear understanding of where we are in Irish Wish, maybe it’s worth mentioning that the movie starts with a definition of what a wish is for those who aren’t familiar. It would be helpful if the movie also clarified what being Irish means, considering that Lohan’s romantic interest is English, her Irish love interest is played by a Welsh actor, and the local pub, where everyone is doing the jig, is advertised as having the best fish and chips in Ireland. Although Lohan does drink a Guinness and appreciate the beautiful views, those are arguably the highlights of the film.
There are certainly aspects that remind us of Lohan’s unwavering charm in this situation. However, this is not enough to divert our attention from how tired and poorly written the entire thing feels. It is depressing to see her still stuck in this situation. Hasn’t she earned the opportunity to star in a more sophisticated romantic comedy from a streaming service, such as last month’s surprisingly well-done Players? Briefly, the film hints at recognizing the psychopathy of the premise and her character. This sparks the thought of her embodying a Julia Roberts-esque antihero in My Best Friend’s Wedding, adding an element of excitement to an otherwise mundane viewing experience.
Netflix is known for producing content that can be played in the background while completing household chores, without taking away from the main task at hand. While this is what their audience expects from them, it’s not necessarily what we hope for Lohan, an actor who has made a comeback and deserves more significant roles.
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The new movie “Irish Wish” can now be streamed on Netflix.
Source: theguardian.com
