You have an entertaining setup and conflict, but as the film continues, you begin to wonder where the heart of the film will reveal itself. Paul Reiser’s character Barry struggles with prostate issues, which makes you think there could be a health crisis motivation toward reconciliation. There’s also Fiona (Lucianne McEvoy), who becomes a potential love interest for Barry, but still, the film continues, and the emotional weight just doesn’t seem to show up. Unfortunately, I’m going to have to go into spoilers from here on out, so if you are even still reading, why stop now?!
It is revealed that Fiona is Ciáran’s ex-wife, and Ciáran, understandably, flips out thinking she and Barry were kissing each other’s blarney stones. This is quickly resolved because 1. Fiona denies any intimacy, and 2. Fiona is significantly younger than Barry…and Ciáran, for that matter. Anyway, Barry and Ciáran call for a ceasefire after they put each other in the hospital. Barry’s daughter Natalya flies in from New York to visit him at the hospital, and BAM! She gets one look at Fiona, which is love at first sight.
“From the opening scene, you are pulled into the Irish, grouchy charm.”
The end of this movie is Barry and Ciáran grinning ear to ear at Fiona and Natalya’s wedding as the officiant gives a long homily on why their marriage is beautiful and why everyone should be okay with it, no matter what anyone or any religion says. They even have a closeup of a priest as she says this; you guessed it, he’s all smiles. Now, this is some lesser M. Night Shyamalan twist. This ending not only betrays our lead characters but also tosses them completely out of their own film.
Barry is protective of his daughter, and Ciáran is very protective of his ex-wife, and yet this is what settles the feud? These characters don’t have any questions. They’re just all in? This has nothing to do with disapproving of a same-sex marriage on screen. Any person in their shoes would not be happy. Your daughter is marrying your estranged cousin’s ex-wife? Your ex-wife is marrying the cousin you hate’s daughter? And they all lived happily ever after? Hollywood, stop using gay characters as 2-dimensional lawn signs that preach to your audience. Just because you insultingly plant them on screen doesn’t mean they are seen. The problem isn’t with people. It’s with your writing.
"…low-stakes comedy about the fragility of family..."
