Irish Wish – Editor, Maddie, has secretly been in love with famous author, Paul Kennedy. When he instead falls for her friend, Maddie visits Ireland to attend their wedding.  Wishes can come true though, and a wish to Saint Brigid makes her desires become reality. Is her relationship with Paul as perfect as she imagined it would be?

Irish Wish (2024) – Director: Janeen Damian

Rating: 12

Running Length: 93 minutes

Starring: Lindsay Lohan, Ed Speleers, Alexander Vlahos

Genres: Romance, Drama, Fantasy

REVIEW: ‘IRISH WISH’

Having shed her more controversial past, Lindsay Lohan has come back to the big screen within a tried and tested a love-triangle formula, sprinkled with some emerald isle magic. ‘Irish Wish’ sees Maddie pining for handsome but oblivious author, Paul (Alexander Vlahos). As she dithers he instead falls for her lovely friend, Emma (Elizabeth Tan). Even when on her way to the happy couple’s upcoming nuptials, Maddie can’t shake the feeling that they would make a better couple.

Cue the magic plot device that give Maddie what she wished for. The premise causes problems with empathising with Maddie as she jumps at the chance to take the place of Emma (who doesn’t seem to deserve to be so jilted) without a second’s thought. ‘Irish Wish’ spends the rest of its runtime slowly covering the inevitable realisation that admiring from afar is very different to an actual relationship. Thankfully, Paul could have been shown in a terrible light but, while he has plenty of flaws, the main issue is simple incompatibility.

Unfortunately this seems to have been a movie made for a much younger lead; Lohan, being in her late 30’s is pushing credulity for a role that behaves like an immature lovelorn teen/twenty-something. This is exasperated by the fact that her social circle is noticeably younger.

‘Irish Wish’ is disappointing in its feather-light touch to any suggestion of substance. None of the characters particularly stand out and the story is so clichéd that the ending can be seen from a mile away. If you want something to watch when wrapped up in your warm blanket, box of chocolates at the ready, and comfy slippers enveloping your foot, then this is a movie to be compatible to your wish.

CONTENT: IS ‘IRISH WISH’ SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN?

Maddie’s selfish wish means that Paul and her friend, Emma, have never had the chance to get together. Maddie does not initially feel any guilt for doing this and shows herself to be a bad friend although the movie does not particularly portray her in this light.

After making her wish, Maddie wakes up in bed and finds Paul in the shower, completely naked. The camera only shows him from the waist up. She is shocked and covers her eyes. He is bemused by this (as far as he’s concerned they are about to get married) but she refuses to look at him.

Maddie is lying in bed and a man’s hand slides over her stomach. Not being used to the situation, she panics and hits Paul in the eye and crotch. Realising what’s happened, Maddie profusely apologises and asks ‘Did I get your eye?’, Paul points to his crotch and answers ‘You got a bit more than the eye!’

Maddie and James have a drink each at a pub. Characters drink alcohol throughout the film but never appear to be drunk.

CAN I SEE A CLIP?

VERDICT: IS ‘IRISH WISH’ FOR KIDS?

It may be light-weight and lacking in oomph, but ‘Irish Wish’ is a perfectly fine romance to watch on the run-up to Valentine’s Day. There is very little concerning content so we would say it is ok for most ages, however children aged 10 and under aren’t likely to connect with or enjoy it.

• Violence: 1/5 (a fight breaks out between two men which ends up bringing others into it. This is never too violent and is more comedic in nature)
• Emotional Distress: 1/5 (there is unrequited love between two characters who should be together and one becomes quite upset)
• Fear Factor: 0/5
• Sexual Content: 1/5 (hints of a physical relationship between two characters)
• Bad Language: 2/5 (a character tells another ‘You can go f… before doors close on her and her speech is cut off. A couple of mild curse words)
• Dialogue: 0/5
• Other Notes: Deals with themes of love, destiny, being assertive, understanding your worth and being careful what you wish for.

Words by Laura Record