Irish Wish - Solo un desiderio

I enjoyed this one it's nice seeing Lindsay in a movie again. Ireland is gorgeous, there's plenty of funny moments and it's a cute movie. Is it the best movie you're ever going to see? No! Is it cute and funny? Yes!

There are other movies with similar plot lines but it seems like every movie is like that nowadays and every book too. There's good chemistry between James and Maddie and the awkwardness between Maddie and Paul is great as well. I don't know if you can really go wrong with an Irish romance with a magical spin, romantic rain, the Cliffs of Moher, and chemistry between the actors that makes you want to keep watching.

The idea is cute enough (nothing new, but sweet). However, the acting sounds like a high school play. There is zero chemistry between any of the romantic partners. The plot doesn't build, it's just dropped in your lap. When the equivalent of the fairy godmother shows up it's as cheesy as a made-for-TV Disney movie. I can't figure out what happened to LL. Her face is different, her voice is different. She doesn't have her sweet quirkiness. If I didn't know it was her, I would have no idea this was the same actress from Mean Girls and. Freaky Friday. I realize that we all grow up, but her acting was flat in this film.

For reference, I'm a 63-year-old straight male. I enjoy chick-flicks more than a lot of women do, it seems, and I enjoyed this one. I'm not sure if the folks who gave this under 5 stars simply have it out for Lindsay Lohan or were expecting something other than what the film wanted to be - a feel-good rom-com suited for all ages.

I know Ms. Lohan has gone through some difficult times, but I don't know that her acting was ever the problem, and I think her acting is quite good here. I found her character very appealing, as were all the characters really (well, maybe except for the author's mother, but the actress played that role well). I found the acting to be just fine across the board, and while the film wasn't a gut-buster, there were a few moments that made me laugh out loud. And the film was far less 'sappy' than many of its genre. Obviously the storyline wasn't realistic, but it also obviously wasn't supposed to be.

I've been to Ireland and the cinematography has me wanting to return.

If you're in the mood for something lite with attractive scenery and music as well as a decent storyline and performances (even if we all know what's coming), I think this will fit the bill nicely.

I am not going to be over-critical with my review. This movie isn't meant to be anything more than what it is, just a romantic comedy with beautiful scenery. If you are expecting more than that, I suggest you don't bother. The storyline is quaint and predictable. But it was an okay way to spend an hour and a half, even if you were just envious of the backdrop during that time. It is good to see Lindsay Lohan in this rom/com. She is good in the role of her character who can't quite speak up for herself and quite frankly is a bit of a doormat when it comes to her crush Paul Kennedy. But as they say, the grass isn't greener on the other side, it just appears that way. And through a wish to Saint Bridget chaos ensues.

If you just want to put something on and tune out for a while, then give it a go. No, its nothing worth writing home about.

I so wanted to like this but it was plagued by the same thing a lot of the cheaper rom coms tend to have... a robot way of dialog. I do think this script was IA inspired because everything is so flat and plain and 90% of the story is told by exposition, dialog with the main character on the phone to her mom. "Mom you know I have always been in love with X" , Mom says "sweety you know I told you to tell him your feelings". This movie is tell don't show.

The big problem though is there isn't really a ton of chemistry with either of the male actors and Lohan. The guy she is crushing on isn't that great and you can't really see why she is crushing on him. The guy she ends up with they employ the "haters to lovers" trope and do it poorly because there is no reason for them to be fighting. They also use the trope of two people in a room together will fall in love for no other reason than they are together. Also problematic is the music. Poor rom coms tend to have this... music that is plain and doesn't seem to match what is going on tends to hurt the overall story - you feel like the whole thing is trying too hard.