The Big Wish

“Irish Wish” Movie Review

Photo by Wynand van Poortvliet on Unsplash

The well-known and popular actress Lindsay Lohan returns to the film world and stars in the “Irish Wish” romantic comedy movie, which was released on Netflix platforms on March 15, 2024. Lohan, who arguably got her fame through her role in the 2004 “Mean Girls” movie, has come back to the film industry. 

“Irish Wish” revolves around the life of Madeline Kelly (Lohan), a book editor for a famous author, Paul Kennedy (Alexander Vlahos). Kelly’s feelings for Kennedy continue to go unnoticed as her friend Emma Taylor (Elizabeth Tan) ends up engaged to Kennedy. The movie follows Kelly’s spontaneous actions, as she makes a life-changing wish. However, the acting and romance aspects of the film contribute to the downfall that “Irish Wish” has experienced, making the movie not as successful or enjoyable as believed. 

One letdown that the film failed to produce was the acting. Throughout the entirety of the film, the acting seemed to be cringy and poor in most scenes. Many viewers were aware of Lohan’s appearance in the film and may have been one of the main reasons why individuals wanted to watch “Irish Wish” in the first place. Despite this, her acting was dull, making the film a little bland and boring. In addition to this, once Kelly makes the wish of wanting to marry Kennedy, she wakes up being a bride-to-be, and the rest of the film ends up being pretty predictable and corny. 

Along with the acting, the romance was intriguing, but overall, nothing spectacular. Before Kelly changes her fate, she has her own meet-cute with an English photographer, James Thomas (Ed Speleers). Nonetheless, Kelly makes her big wish after making it to Ireland and forgets all about the mystery man. However, the two reconnect and their relationship begins to blossom. The film captures their journey of heartfelt moments and romantic gestures. Soon enough, we see them develop feelings for each other, and Kelly starts wondering if she has made the right choice. While the romance displayed in the film can be charming, it also appears a bit predictable and embarrassing at times. The emotion-filled movie doesn’t stray away from the classic rom-com stereotype, but the enchanting love story of Kelly and Thomas surely adds an extra layer of magic to the film. 

Although many parts of “Irish Wish” did not live up to stake, an element of the film that did take viewers by surprise was the location of where the film was made. The setting of the film took place in Wicklow, Ireland where the filming also took place. From beautiful castles, to glistening lakes and astonishing cliffs, “Irish Wish” had some of the most incredible views and locations a film has to offer. These breathtaking spots in the Irish countryside really tied the whole film together, as we see in various scenes. Whether it was biking alongside the stunning buildings or walking through a trail on the Cliffs of Moher, the backdrops that were used were terrific. The film showcases the charm and magic of the Irish landscape, grasping what exquisite landmarks Ireland has.

Moreover, “Irish Wish” is a captivating film that combines the beauty of Ireland with a heartwarming love story. In spite of the mediocre acting and cheesy romance, the film successfully brings fans on a wild adventure, filled with great chemistry from the cast and lovely views. “Irish Wish” is a film for all ages and brings out the joy in younger generations. 

<Star Rating>

Acting: ★★★★★

Romance: ★★★★★

Setting: ★★★★★