By John Corrado

Irish Wish, the new Lindsay Lohan romantic comedy that is being released on Netflix for St. Patrick’s Day, is an example of a film that offers exactly what you want; the chance to watch Lohan in a predictable but cute rom-com set against the beautiful backdrop of Ireland.

Lohan stars as Maddie Kelly, an aspiring novelist who works as the editor to bestselling romance author Paul Kennedy (Alexander Vlahos). Maddie harbours feelings for Paul, but doesn’t have the courage to tell him, which leads to him falling for her best friend Emma (Elizabeth Tan) instead on the night of his big book launch.

Cut to a few months later, and Paul is set to marry Emma at his family estate in Ireland, with Maddie tagging along to the wedding as a bridesmaid. When Maddie sits on an ancient stone and wishes that it was her wedding instead, she is visited by a mysterious old lady (Dawn Bradfield) who grants her wish. A strong breeze blows, and suddenly she is the one about to marry Paul, in an alternate reality where he never fell for her friend.

This also presents her with the chance to give a second look to James Thomas (Ed Speleers, doing likeable work), the English nature photographer that she has a “meet cute” with at the airport after first landing in Ireland, and another when she tumbles into his car post-wish. Will Maddie stay with the self-absorbed Paul, or realize that she is meant to be with James, the opinionated nomad whom she starts to form a connection with after the two initially clash with each other?

Like Lohan’s last Netflix rom-com Falling for Christmas (a cheesy but mildly enjoyable lark which saw her playing an heiress who falls off a ski slope and forgets who she is supposed to marry), Irish Wish is another formula picture built around a slightly fantastical, wish-fulfillment premise. These are basically vehicles for the former teen idol Lohan to reclaim her status as leading lady and rom-com heroine (and presumably have a nice vacation in Ireland too), and she makes an appealing comic lead who embraces the more physical, screwball aspects.

The film’s other major selling point is the Irish setting, including the majestic Cliffs of Moher. It’s shot like a tourism commercial by cinematographer Graham Robbins, which I don’t even mean as a slight; the point of Irish Wish is to make you want to visit Ireland and maybe fall in love. The film follows every romantic comedy trope and cliché to a tee, but deliberately so; this is comfort viewing designed to offer exactly what you expect from this type of thing. It’s a charming, undemanding watch, that goes well with a pint of Guinness.

Film Rating: ★★½ (out of 4)

Irish Wish is now available to stream exclusively on Netflix.