Irish Wish Is Here Because Moms Deserve Movies Too

Photo: Netflix

I’ll say this about Netflix’s latest romantic comedy, Irish Wish: It’s a wonderfully glossy advertisement for Irish tourism. It’s got everything ChatGPT and Americans probably picture when they imagine Ireland: Quaint pubs, rolling hills covered with sheep, castles adorned with floral wallpaper, and a gorgeous redhead toasting with obscenely large glasses of Guinness! It even has a cute, if not entirely original, story line that moms everywhere will eat up. 

Lindsay Lohan stars as Maddie, an accomplished book editor in love with the author she works with. When he falls for one of her best friends, Maddie remains supportive until their Irish wedding where one wish gives her exactly what she thinks she’s always wanted. But can her new dream life withstand a monster-in-law, steamy glances between her friend and her fiancée, and a romantic drive through Ireland's tourist destinations with a mystery man? After all, it’s like they always say, “Never go location scouting with a hot man who is not your intended.” 

Also in the movie’s favor is the actor playing opposite Lohan, Ed Speleers. You may recognize him from shows like Downton Abbey, You, or Star Trek: Picard.  Speleers, as James, is giving it his all - even offering us his best Jack Dawson. No, James doesn’t have a home. He chooses to experience the freedom of the world with nothing but a “camera and a passport,” thank you very much. The problem is, we learn absolutely nothing else about him. But it’s fine! He’s charming and takes stunning pictures of Lindsay Lohan cliffside! 

So, while Irish Wish has all that going for it, it lacks anything remotely resembling a genuine human experience or emotion. Like many of Netflix’s films, it has a sheen that’s meant to give it an expensive appearance, but instead makes the film look cheap and painted by numbers. Yet, its worst sins are that it’s not very funny AND she doesn’t even end up with an Irishman. What are we doing? Even Lohan, who in her childhood had a strong physical comedy presence, couldn’t carry this one. 

But boy did she try valiantly! The Lohannaissance that began with 2022’s Falling for Christmas is still alive and well. Against the backdrop of the Irish countryside, which was in fact on location and not in a backlot somewhere, she looks radiant - her hair the same enviable shade of crimson. In some moments of the film, like the scarf incident in the first two minutes and the standard big speech in the last 30, Lohan almost reaches hints of what made her so special to begin with.

Wouldn’t we all be curious to see what she could do with material outside of Netflix? Is our fondness for her enough to power us through until she’s given something more to do?