Love of the Irish

I enjoyed this Hallmark movie, as I love Ireland and love watching any movie filmed there. I do get annoyed at the cliche Hallmark formats but this one had a bit of a different angle. Moira Kelly was great and I haven't seen her in anything since the Cutting Edge, so of course, she looked older to me. The one thing that bothered me the most was the ending. The final scene was just abruptly cut off, as if the editors knew they were running out of time, and just edited it mid-scene. Otherwise, I enjoyed the rest of the movie for what it was-a heartfelt, fun romp looking for love and luck in Ireland.

"Love of the Irish" delivers a sweet, predictable romance that fans of Hallmark-style movies will appreciate. Set in the stunning Irish countryside, the story explores themes of love and family, with emotional highlights like a touching birth mother reunion and a dance studio discovery. Moira Kelly offers nostalgic charm, and Shenae Grimes-Beech is a solid lead, though the overall cast and dialogue are unremarkable. The beautiful County Cork setting and small-town world add visual appeal and authenticity. While engaging and satisfying, the movie lacks originality, sticking to a formulaic script. It's enjoyable for a casual watch but unlikely to leave a lasting impression beyond its heartwarming moments.

Is this the best movie ever? No. Does the story line have a bunch of missing pivotal points? You know it. Does everyone in the movie look like they are related to one another? Absolutely! Would I watch this movie again? Nope! Am I glad I watched this movie? Yes! Only cause I watched it with my mother and everytime anything remotely romantic, sweet or cute happened she said "oh my"! Clearly, the target audience is the 60+ women (of which I am not). So ya if you're a male in your thirties this may not be for you; but if you are male in your thirties and find it amusing to see your mom get excited over the tinest thing, then this is totally your movie.

Note: while everyone looks the same, I double checked they are in fact not related.

Another strong on-location production from Hallmark. The movies shot somewhere exotic rather than in a Canadian city filling in are always much more atmospheric.

The Irish countryside is arguably as big a star as Shenae Grimes-Beech, Stephen Hagan and "The West Wing" alum Moira Kelly are. It's stunning, and the overhead shots of rolling hills, ancient ruins and rugged cliffs, especially, show it off perfectly. Makes you want to visit the Emerald Isle.

The story? Well, formulaic as these Hallmark movies often are, but also pleasant. There's the main love story and a secondary one, which is where Moira Kelly's character comes into things.

Come for the Irish scenery and culture, stay for the charming romance.

The movie *Irish Luck* offers a story rooted in Irish themes and family bonds but stumbles in key areas that prevent it from reaching its full potential. While the lead actress delivers a commendable performance, several shortcomings in her portrayal detract from the overall experience.

The lead actress faces an uphill battle due to the film's poor styling choices. She is burdened with a wig that resembles a toupee, an unfortunate decision that undermines her character's grace and appeal. The beauty of a woman's hair is a cornerstone of her presence, and especially for a character tied to themes of romance and dance, this lack of attention is glaring. To make matters worse, she performs only a single spin throughout the movie-hardly befitting a story supposedly centered on her as a dancer. Additionally, her wardrobe, dominated by jeans, feels entirely out of place. A more romantic and thoughtful choice of attire could have brought elegance and emotional depth to the character.

Despite these flaws, the film finds its saving grace in the mother of the dancer. The actress playing this role is exceptional, embodying sweetness, sensitivity, and reason amidst deeply emotional moments. Her character, searching for her biological mother, serves as the emotional anchor of the film. Her nuanced performance captures both vulnerability and strength, bringing much-needed authenticity to the story. She is the true heart of the movie, her presence elevating the narrative and leaving a lasting impression.

It's worth noting that while the lead actress remains talented, she started her career a decade ago with such promise, and now she needs better support to shine. The issues with her styling and underwhelming choreography are not her fault but rather a failure on the part of the production team.

In conclusion, *Luck or love of the irish* is a mixed bag. While the lead actress does her best with what she is given, the poorly chosen wig, uninspired wardrobe, and lackluster choreography hinder her character's impact. However, the film is redeemed by the exceptional performance of the mother, whose depth and grace carry much of the emotional weight and ultimately save the movie from mediocrity.