Humour lifts cliched Irish tale
Finding You (PG, 115 mins) Directed by Brian Baugh Reviewed by James Croot ★★★
‘I guess Ireland is just full of surprises.’’ Finlay Sinclair’s (Rose Reid) assessment of the Emerald Isle may well be correct, but that’s certainly not true of hollywood depictions of it.
You can prettymuch guarantee the majority of locals will be friendly, but slightly brash and buffoonish, a fiddle band will play Whisky in the Jar (or Danny Boy, depending on the mood) at the local pub, therewill be a tough, old biddy with a secret and an aged musician with some sage advice.
Our ‘‘hero’’ will enjoy plenty of craic, a touch of heartbreak and the gorgeous scenery, while staying with either a quirky family or in quaint accommodation.
The score will consist of a collection of obscure Celtic pop, and what were previously helicopter shots but are now drone shots offer us a bird’s-eye view of the lush landscapes.
If you’re playing the ‘‘America’s version of Ireland bingo’’ drinking game with writer Brian Baugh’s rom-com, then you’re in big trouble. However, it does offer its own buzz in the form of likeable leads, pointed satire at the Tinseltown invasion of Ireland and a scene-stealing cameo.
Sure, it might drift towards a predictable and somewhat sleepy conclusion, but there’s some fun to be had in watching the somewhat unlikely romance between budding violinist Finlay and fantasy action franchise star Beckett Rush (Jedidiah Goodacre).
A kind of mash-up of 1990s and noughties tales like Notting Hill, Circle of Friends, Before Sunrise, Save the Last Dance and 10 Things I
Hate About You, Finding opens with Finlay failing her potentially career-defining music school audition. With one more opportunity later in the year, she decides a change of scene is in order.
Following in the footsteps of her dearly departed brother, Finlay heads for Ireland on a ‘‘semester abroad’’ programme, even managing to secure lodgings with the same family he did.
Their circumstances though have somewhat changed. Now owners of a bed-and-breakfast, they desperately need her assistance, especially as they’re hosting a special VIP guest.
Actor Beckett Rush is the heartthrob headliner of an Ireland-shot, dragon-filled movie series and one-half of a ubiquitous celebrity couple with co-star Taylor Risdale (Katherine mcnamara).
Not that you’d know by the way he’s stalked constantly by gaggles of female admirers and his attempts to flirt with Finlay.
However, her initial irritation and, indeed, mild loathing towards him gradually softens, as he opens up about his on-set struggles and proves to be an attentive companion.
That’s especially true as Finlay battles to complete one of her Irish Studies’ course requirements. She’s been assigned Cathleen Sweeney (Vanessa Redgrave), an elderly care home patient who doesn’t much care for Finlay’s flailing efforts to read her Pride& Prejudice, or bond.
But when Finlay discovers a drawer full of letters that have been returned to sender, it’s clear there’s heartache that needs to be resolved and amystery the young woman just can’t resist trying to solve.
Based on Jenny B Jones’ 2011 young adult novel There You’ll Findme, Finding You does sometimes struggle with pacing and a shifting tone (it’s almost like veterans Redgrave and Patrick Bergin are in a different film to the young ’uns).
But, if the drama doesn’t really resonate, at least some of the humour does. Saoirse-monica Jackson, essentially recreating her Derry Girls shtick, adds a dynamism and tartness that helps cut through some of the story’s more saccharine tendencies.