Love of the Irish

Plot (25%) The plot is engaging, with heartwarming and refreshing storylines. Score: 25% Characters (20%) The characters are heartwarming and nice, but the repeated use of "bestie" felt cringey for adult women. Score: 18% Direction (15%) The pacing was well-done, but the tone felt overly gloomy at times. Score: 12% Visuals (15%) The visuals are stunning, proving live-action can deliver impressive imagery. Score: 15% Music (10%) The song "Eye of the Irish" felt unnecessary and out of place. Score: 5% Theme (10%) The theme of luck is intriguing, and Fiona's change of fortune was satisfying. Score: 7% Entertainment Value (5%) Surprisingly more entertaining than expected. Score: 4% Overall: 86% Better than expected, a strong start to 2025's romance movie lineup.

"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.

7.1 stars.

This story is nestled right in there with 1000 other Hallmark stories. It doesn't stand out particularly, there is nothing substantial in the story that makes me think I want to return to watch this anytime soon.

The acting is pretty good, nice to see a return of Moira Kelly. The setting is in Ireland, there's a lot of scenery, and it feels cold, it is during the cold season after all.

It's a story of a woman who is down on her luck, so to speak. She works odd jobs while trying to land a prominent role in any major ballet show. She and her mother live in New York. Her mother (Kelly) has never known her real mother, all she knows is that her real mother lives in Ireland. Mother and daughter set out on a journey to Ireland. Most of the movie is in Ireland. It's somewhat fun, partially interesting, a bit entertaining, but nothing spectacular.

Fiona (Shenae Grimes Beech), a woman with "bad luck," goes to Ireland with her mother, Helen (Moira Kelly), to search for her mother's biological mother and to try to improve her luck. She meets an interesting local man, Liam, (Stephen Hagan), who owns the local pub and brews his own beer. Liam helps Fiona try to improve her luck by showing her customs in Ireland that are deemed to bring luck. This naturally leads to romantic feelings for both.

Meanwhile, Helen finds her birth mother and spends time getting to know her.

The best thing about this show is the setting in Ireland. It offers beautiful scenery and some Irish customs, dancing and Irish music. It's nice to see something different on Hallmark!

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.