I remember watching The Parent Trap remake in the 90’s, and getting that first dose of Lindsay Lohan. She really seemed like a talent that would maintain, and for a long time, it felt that way. She never really could overcome the tabloids, and her attention seeking parents. To this day, I know the names of her mother and father, neither of whom are actors. They didn’t even need a Keeping Up With show. They just wouldn’t go away.
Somewhere after a bad movie, and some bad press, Lohan retreated. Now, she’s trying to come back, and it is really sad that her venue is a series of holiday themed Netflix romantic comedies. That being said, Irish Wish is marginally better than her last, so we are moving in the right direction. Part of that has to do with actually having cast members who can act, like Jane Seymour, popping up.
This Netflix original has nice audio description from Media Access Group, and I’d try and get that narrator name spelled out for you, but it’s gonna be a doozie. I’m just going with Ms. McLaughlin, because even my notes after watching the film are confusing. I tried to phonetically spell it out, but you know. Auto correct.
Lohan plays a book editor who is in love with her author that she works for, but just hasn’t told him yet. Sadly, she waits too long, and he falls for her best friend, and before she knows it, she’s being swept away to a destination wedding in Ireland. Still hoping for the best, she sits on a bench, and makes a wish. Turns out, that’s a wishing bench, and some weird genie comes out and tells her the wish can come true, but be careful what you wish for. She suddenly wakes up, engaged to this guy, who she really doesn’t know very well, and things get more complicated when she starts to actually like the photographer for the wedding. What is a girl to do?
It’s pretty basic. I don’t think this would have done a lot in theatres, but Lohan had a couple of films I’m sure people already forgot. Just My Luck, anyone? I recently watched Meg Ryan suffer through a terrible film, and I wanted her to get real work. Ryan is still amazing, and so is Lohan. She carried her last film, and she carries this as well. That girl everyone fell in love with in Mean Girls and Freaky Friday is still quite talented. She just needs a good script.
The audio description here is fine, as the film is easy and the description makes use of the Irish landscape. I’m still not really sure what this magic fairy person was supposed to be, but I’m not sure I would have gotten it even if I could see.
Final Grade: C+
