It’s Thyme to know everything about the movie we’re Wild about
Film set for summer release
WITH its unintentionally comic Oirish accents, it’s already one of the most talked about movies of the year very few people having actually seen it.
And now Wild Mountain Thyme will be available to rent from April 30 in the UK, ahead of its Irish cinema release this summer.
Before the big reveal, here’s everything you need to know about the movie that’s already rattled the nation before it even hit screens.
WHAT’S THE
STORY?
According to distributors Lionsgate, Wild Mountain Thyme captures “the romance, lyricism and transcendent beauty of the Irish countryside in an extraordinary love story between two lonely souls”.
It adds: “Passionate, determined, and smart, Rosemary Muldoon has been in love with her neighbour Anthony Reilly since they were 10 years old.”
The problem arises as Anthony seems to have inherited a family curse and remains oblivious to his beautiful admirer.
Stung by his father Tony Reilly’s plans to sell the family farm to his American nephew Anthony is jolted into pursuing his dreams in the comedic, moving and romantic tale.
WHERE WAS IT FILMED?
The movie was shot in Crossmolina and Ballina, Co Mayo, in September and October 2019.
It was made with the support of Screen Ireland and The WRAP regional fund.
The area has some movie heritage as almost 70 years ago, John Wayne and Kathleen O’hara rolled into the village of Cong in Co Mayo to film John Ford’s Academy-awardwinning classic The
Quiet Man.
WHO IS BEHIND THE NEW FLICK?
Written and directed by John Patrick Shanley, who previously wrote Doubt and Moonstruck, the film is based on his play Outside Mullingar.
The play debuted on Broadway in January 2014 starring Debra Messing and Brian F O’byrne a n d received a Tony Award nomination for best play.
WHO STARS IN IT?
It stars Emily Blunt and Jamie Dornan as Rosemary and Anthony, two star-crossed lovers destined to be together. The star-studded cast also includes Mad Men star Jon Hamm, Dearbhla Molloy and Christopher Walken.
THE ACCENT
DRAMA
While the Irish landscape dazzles on the screen, the actors’ Irish accents have left a lot to be desired.
And when the film’s trailer dropped last year, Blunt and Dornan were heavily criticised for their efforts to grasp the local accent, despite the Dornan actually being Irish, hailing from Co Down.
JAMIE LAUGHED IT OFF
Dornan took the jibes in good humour and dismissed the widespread criticism.
After widespread public commentary from viewers, he told The Graham Norton Show in December: “I thought the reaction was funny,”
“I’m from Ireland and our currency is taking the piss, so it’s rare to put something out there and not have the piss taken. I’m all for it.”
DIRECTOR’S TAKE
Shanley was dismissive of the blowback and told industry newspaper
Variety: “I told Emily when we first talked about this project, ‘I’m not making this movie for the Irish.
“If you try to get the Irish to love you, no good will come of it.”
EMILY’S NERVES
In the escapist romance, the Mary Poppins star gets to bring her vocals to a rendition of the fabled Irish folk song from where the movie’s title gets its inspiration from.
And while the others were left sweating over their accents, Blunt was concerned about her big number.
She told Cinema Blend: “I was more nervous to sing for Christopher, who we were all madly in love with and it was quite an experience for me to sing in his iconic blue eyes and then see him start to cry. It was just one of the best days ever, really.”
WHERE AND WHEN CAN WE WATCH IT?
While Irish viewers will have to wait for a cinema date this summer, Wild Mountain Thyme will be available to view on Sky, Amazon, Apple, Google Play, Virgin, Talk Talk, BT, Rakuten, XBOX, Sony PS, Chili TV, and Showcase At Home for UK viewers.