Lindsay Lohan, once of my favorite actresses, has had a bit of a dry spell for me in terms of movies I have genuinely loved. 2013’s The Canyons was probably the last that I found to be a total blast, though I am definitely in the minority there. Color me surprised that Lohan’s newest, aptly titled Irish Wish, presents a sweet return to form of her rom-com heyday. Evoking adorable Just My Luck with a dash of Leap Year, fans of this genre may find their wish for a satisfying Netflix vehicle for Lohan has been granted!
Book editor Madeline (Lohan, Mean Girls, Freaky Friday) has just finished a collaboration with celebrated author Paul Kennedy (Alexander Vlahos, Merlin, Versailles). There is just one problem: he has taken sole credit, whilst the work Madeline put in was significantly greater than a meager edit. Still, Madeline allows Paul nearly any concessions he pleases since, over the course of their time together, she has fallen head over heels for him. Just when it seems he may proclaim he feels the same way, Paul suggests a second collaboration. Gutted that he did not take their relationship to a literal next level, Madeline watches in horror as Paul falls in love with her best friend, Emma (Elizabeth Tan, Emily in Paris, Doctor Who), whom she mistakenly introduced to him.
Wasting no time to get the story moving along, the script from screenwriters Janeen Damien and Kirsten Hansen (sharing an assortment of cheery Christmas films amongst them) flashes forward several months. Now, Paul and Emma are to be wed in Ireland. Madeline travels along with her other bestie, Heather (Ayesha Curry, Ayesha Homemade), in the hopes that she can just fast forward through having to participate in a wedding she accidentally facilitated. Lest the viewer assumes the meet cute has already occurred, enter hunky James (Ed Speelers, Eragon, Outlander)—British accent and all—to quarrel with Madeline at baggage claim. Her bag has in fact been lost, but she is so convinced that he has taken hers that the duo briefly tussle. They also end up on the same bus into the Irish countryside—coincidence or not?
Setting James aside temporarily, Madeline ends up the sole outlier during a set of romantic paddle boat rides. Wandering off for a walk alone, she stumbles upon a “wishing chair.” A strange Irish woman (Dawn Bradfield, ‘71, Mr. Malcolm’s List) urges Madeline to make a wish; naturally, she wishes that she were the bride marrying Paul, and not Emma. Switcheroos are fun, even more so when there is an alternate reality twist to the proceedings. After a bit of Irish magic, Madeleine awakens in a bed alone. Stumbling into a naked Paul in the shower, she slowly realizes what has happened. They are here to celebrate her wedding, and her Irish wish has been granted!
Lohan plays Madeline assuredly, if obvious in her ultimate feelings. Paul appears to share very little in common with Madeline even in this new version of reality. Nature photographer James ends up crossing paths with Madeline perhaps by chance. Without a recollection of their previous meeting, he still ends up coerced into being the Kennedy wedding photographer. Yes, ye old love triangle, a tale as old as time, emerges anew. The chemistry between Speleers and Logan charms, while serving as a sobering juxtaposition for the flatness of Madeline and Paul as a couple.
Irish Wish checks every box one would want from a breezy Netflix rom-com. Outrageous hijinks, occasional laughs, magical moments, storybook romance, a gorgeous cast, and best of all, the beauty of on location filming in Ireland. The recently announced Freaky Friday 2 will no doubt be a major return to the big screen for Lohan in a leading role, but Irish Wish is the perfect appetizer to become reacquainted with a signature actress of the early 2000s.
Make your Irish Wish come true, exclusively to Netflix on Friday, March 15th.
