March 16th 2024.
Lindsay Lohan, known for her role in Mean Girls, is the leading lady in Netflix's new romantic comedy, Irish Wish. However, the film has sparked controversy due to its lack of authentic Irish actors on screen.
The 37-year-old actress made a successful comeback with her previous Christmas-themed movie, Falling for Christmas, in November 2022. She has now signed a two-picture deal with Netflix, with the first movie scheduled to coincide with St. Patrick's Day.
Despite the upcoming Irish holiday, viewers have noticed a distinct absence of genuine Irish accents in a film set in Ireland. Irish Wish follows the story of Maddie Kelly, an American book editor who travels to Ireland to attend her best friend's wedding to the love of her life, Paul. Along the way, she meets photographer James and makes a wish for true love on an ancient stone. However, her wish backfires, and she wakes up as the bride-to-be, discovering that it's not all it's cracked up to be.
Lindsay Lohan plays the American protagonist, with Ed Speleers and Ayesha Curry as her American friends. The two male leads, played by Speleers and the Welsh actor Jane Seymour, are not Irish either. The only actor attempting an Irish accent is Outlander star Alexander Vlahos, who is actually Welsh in real life.
Critics have not been kind to the film, with The Irish Times calling it out for its "scandalous lack of begorrah" and "criminally little Irish involvement." The Irish Independent also notes that the movie presents a version of Ireland that is far from reality. This is not the first time a romantic comedy set in Ireland has faced criticism for its lack of Irish actors. The 2010 film Leap Year also featured British and American actors in leading roles, with only a few minor Irish characters.
Viewers have taken to social media to express their disappointment, with many pointing out the absence of native Irish actors. Some have even questioned why popular actors like Paul Mescal or Cillian Murphy were not considered for the roles.
One Twitter user, @SophIdek, wrote, "Watching Irish Wish and I've instantly noticed there's not a single Irish actor in it." Another user, @Little_Dhampirx, pleaded for Hollywood to start hiring Irish actors for Irish roles.
Even some critics have slammed the film for its lack of authenticity. Marc Quinn of Google shared, "This movie is offensive to Irish people and should be banned from the country. One minute they're in Bray and then next minute they're at the Cliffs of Moher on the other side of the country. The editing and acting are a joke, and I'm fairly sure there's not an Irish person in the entire movie."
However, it should be noted that there are a few genuine Irish actors in the film, such as Dawn Bradfield and Aidan Jordan. Still, this has not quelled the disappointment of Irish viewers who were hoping to see more representation of their country on screen.
Lindsay Lohan's next project with Netflix, Our Little Secret, is set to be released during the Christmas season. It follows the story of two exes who are forced to spend Christmas together after discovering that their current partners are siblings.
Despite the backlash, Irish Wish is currently streaming on Netflix. If you have a celebrity story, video, or pictures, you can share them with the entertainment team at The Agency by emailing them, calling, or visiting their website. They would love to hear from you.
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