AS LUCK WOULD HAVE IT
US/Ireland, 2021, 87 minutes, Colour.
JoAnna Garcia Swisher, Allen Leech, Niall Buggy.
Directed by Clare Niederpruem.
A pleasant television movie, the luck of the Irish – and the luck of the American leading lady! This is a Hallmark film, type of film popular for wide television audiences – and, usually derided by critics and audiences who feel above this kind of thing.
It is predictable – but that is the point. We know that there is going to be a romance, wariness at first, a couple working together, in the atmosphere of the Irish countryside, difficulties, finally coming together. In fact, most of the IMDb bloggers are very much in favour of the film (and expressing surprise and its being Hallmark).
JoAnna Garcia Swisher looks remarkably like Amy Addams – and a reminder of a similar kind of film in which she starred, Leap Year. The rest of the cast is agreeably Irish.
Very few surprises – just the pleasure of watching a predictable and pleasant romance.
- The title? The luck of the Irish? The luck of the Americans?
- The New York settings, the building industry, entrepreneurs, managers, deals?
- The contrast with the Irish countryside, the town, the Castle, grounds and interiors, local accommodation, offices, chorusaspects, working aspects, the picnic by the waterfall…? The musical score?
- A Hallmark film, for the television audience? Frequent scepticism about Hallmark films and sentiment? The general positive acclaim for this Hallmark film?
- Lindsey, her story, her doing deals, scouting possibilities, work in the office, the boss and his reliance on her, her friend in the office, no personal life? Going to Ireland, the story of her grandmother and the later checking the computer, the visit to the stone house and its disappearance, Brennan urging her to appreciate the atmosphere of her grandmother? Her going to Ireland, her task?
- The people in the town, the Castle, the upkeep, costs, the idea to sell the Castle? The traditions of the town, the festivals, matchmaking…? The owner of the Castle and his struggling to save it, the idea of selling it? Officiating at the wedding ceremony? The members of the Council, various jobs in the town, the meetings and discussions?
- Brennan, background story, studies, relationships, disappointment, returning to the town, involved in all the aspects, practical and waiting at his parents diner, the whiskey collection, the Council…? Wary of Lindsey?
- Lindsey, at the Council meeting, the disappointment, her decision to stay? The encounters with Brennan, each wary, his turning up all the time, the Festival, her involvement, the various activities, the conversations with partners, Brennan helping her escape, their discussions, the picnic by the waterfall, the ideas about the Castle and the sale?
- The idea of combining the old with the new, Lindsey spinning the deal to her boss, the Dublin rifle, his coming to the party, the great celebration, but his declining the offer?
- Lindsey, the return to New York, three months, her wanting to settle, become part of building up the hotels rather than just doing the deals and leaving? Returning to Ireland, collaboration with the company, the renovation of the castle?
- Brennan, his story, dressing up for the final party, Lindsey and her idea of the distillery at the barn, his reaction? Her return, his surprise, the whiskey project, the falling in love and the final kiss?
- The plot is predictable – but that being the whole point for audiences to follow the falling in love?
