'Irish Wish' Review: Even Lindsay Lohan's charm can't save Netflix's forgettable rom-com
COUNTY MAYO, IRELAND: Lindsay Lohan's latest romantic comedy, 'Irish Wish', is like finding a pot of gold filled with disappointments. However, for those who adore Lohan, there's a silver lining: she oozes undeniable charm throughout the film.
'Irish Wish' premiered on Netflix on Friday, March 15 and it certainly failed to deliver, to say the least.
The storyline revolves around a book editor Maddie (played by Lohan) whose ideal partner is about to marry her closest friend in Ireland.
However, her fate takes an unexpected turn when she makes a spontaneous wish on an ancient stone, transforming her into the bride herself.
'Irish Wish' was announced in September 2022 and began filming in Ireland during the same month.
Netflix's 'Irish Wish' stumbles as Lindsay Lohan's return to rom-coms fails to impress
Lohan's return to the screen with the holiday rom-com 'Falling for Christmas' in 2022 marked a significant moment in her career comeback. The film was met with decent reviews, signaling a shift in power dynamics.
Suddenly, Lohan wasn't just someone you could hire; she was reclaiming her status as a superstar, captivating audiences once again with her effervescent charm. And the demand for more of her work only grew stronger.
The anticipation that surrounded Lohan's latest Netflix film, 'Irish Wish', only adds to the disappointment. While 'Falling for Christmas' felt like a special occasion, with the festive holiday atmosphere adding to its appeal, 'Irish Wish' falls flat.
It lacks the magic of its predecessor and comes across as just another average romantic comedy dumped onto the streaming platform. It's like a clumsy stumble, desperately trying to prove it hasn't suffered a major blow.
The only redeeming quality of 'Irish Wish' is its romance
Beyond its outlandish elements, the chemistry between Maddie and James (Edward Speleers) in 'Irish Wish' carries a timeless spirit, reflecting the familiar idea of a woman engaged to one man but realizing her feelings for another.
However, the film's reliance on dialogue over visual storytelling sometimes results in awkwardly staged scenes. Nonetheless, Lohan and Speleers effortlessly engage in banter, with the latter delivering a standout performance.
Lohan embraces the exaggerated humor of the story, showcasing her comedic talent and hinting at a promising return to the genre.
Unfortunately, the depth of characterization doesn't extend to the rest of the cast in 'Irish Wish', creating an imbalanced narrative. While the central romance rightly takes priority, there's a longing for more exploration of Maddie's relationships with Emma (Elizabeth Tan) and Heather (Ayesha Curry), particularly with the former.
Apart from a touching moment shared between Maddie and Emma towards the end, 'Irish Wish' leaves much to be desired in terms of character development, particularly concerning Emma.
Without giving away spoilers, given the portrayal of Paul (Alexander Vlahos), it's difficult not to feel that Emma deserves some resolution.
In conclusion, 'Irish Wish' presents a mixed bag of delights and shortcomings. While it excels in delivering a timeless romance between Maddie and James, the film falters in fully fleshing out its supporting characters and relies too heavily on dialogue at the expense of visual storytelling.
Nevertheless, Lindsay Lohan's return to comedy is a highlight, promising potential for future projects. Ultimately, 'Irish Wish' offers an enjoyable viewing experience for those seeking a light-hearted romantic escapade, despite its flaws.
While it may not reach the heights of her iconic films like 'Mean Girls' and 'Freaky Friday', Lohan's evident enjoyment of the role adds a certain charm to the movie. Seeing her embrace the comedic elements with gusto is a joy in itself.
'Irish Wish' is streaming on Netflix.