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In a year like this one, charming films that offer comedy and romance definitely provide a welcome change of pace from social media bickering and whatever strife the latest news headlines brings. And there’s plenty of both in writer/director John Patrick Shanley’s Irish romance, Wild Mountain Thyme.
Wild Mountain Thyme travels to Ireland, where two neighboring families have been living and farming together for years. Rosemary (Emily Blunt) is a strong, outspoken woman who’s always had her heart set on marrying her neighbor, Anthony (Jamie Dornan). Anthony, however, seems clueless—and maybe, if town gossip is to be believed, a little bit crazy. But when Anthony’s ailing father, Tony (Christopher Walken), announces plans to deny Anthony his inheritance and sell the farm to his American cousin (Jon Hamm), Rosemary knows that it’s time to speak up.
As the romance and family drama play out, the setting alone is enough to make viewers fall in love with this film. The expansive green fields and the rolling hills are a breath of fresh air, providing a pleasant backdrop to the characters’ would-be romance.
From the beginning, Emily Blunt’s Rosemary shows strength and determination. She single-handedly runs the family farm, and it’s clear that she’s perfectly happy that way—even when it means hiking through the night in the pouring rain, searching for a runaway horse. Though she does have a few uncharacteristic moments of uncertainty, it’s Rosemary’s confidence that carries the story.
Jamie Dornan, on the other hand, seems out of place in his role as Anthony. The character is somewhat hard to grasp, and he generally just looks like a lost little boy, staring blankly into the distance. He doesn’t seem to understand the touches of humor in the role, either—and the comedic moments seem completely awkward.
The tension between the characters grows throughout their story, but it’s mostly a credit to Blunt, who pulls Dornan into the story, just as her character encourages him to take charge of his own life. It’s definitely a lot for her to carry on her own, but her strength and candor still go a long way.
If you’re in need of a little bit of romance and charm after a hectic year, Wild Mountain Thyme is a worthy alternative to the same old Hallmark Christmas movies. Though it has its moments of awkwardness, it’s also sweet and dramatic, with a beautifully serene Irish setting.
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