Wild Mountain Thyme (C+ or 2.5/4 stars)
'Wild Mountain Thyme' (directed by John Patrick Shanley, of Moonstruck fame) is a quirky romantic dramedy named after a 2,000 yr. old Irish song of the same name. This movie takes us to the breathtaking Irish countryside where Rosemary Muldoon (Emily Blunt) runs her family farm, which is adjacent to the Reilly farm. She has been in love with Anthony Reilly (Jamie Dornan, of Fifty Shades fame) since she was 10, and now in her 30s ... she's STILL hoping that the shy fellow will propose someday. As mentioned, Anthony is shy, but also confused & lacking in self-confidence. He THINKS he wants to marry Rosemary -- in one scene he is caught practicing his proposal in a field to a donkey - but he can't muster the courage to do it when it counts.
His aging father, Tony (Christopher Walken), isn't helping because he thinks Anthony won't ever ask for Rosemary's hand, and so, he has decided to sell the farm to his wealthy American nephew, Adam (Jon Hamm). Tony is convinced that Anthony won't ever be able to handle the farm on his own after he passes. So, because there would be no movie otherwise, it falls on headstrong Rosemary to get Anthony off his butt, some out of his turtle shell, and do something! You know, like maybe get married, as well. When Adam shows up in Ireland and takes a liking to Rosemary, romantic entanglements ensue.
'Wild Mountain Thyme' is a very conventional star-crossed romantic tale; the kind we've seen countless time over the decades. I don't have an inherent issue with it being classically conventional in some respects {playing up familiar tropes of the genre}. It can be comforting. But my problem with this film is that it doesn't take any risks - maybe with the exception of Anthony claiming to be an allegorical "bee" near the end {what was THAT!?, haha} - and it's kinda sorta ... boring. I hate to use that word, but it applies, here. LOVED the picturesque landscapes, the gorgeous music, seeing Christopher Walken, ditto Emily Blunt, etc. -- but the script is just so bland. I didn't really care about ANYTHING coming out of these characters' mouths.
All that said, I can't hate on the movie too much. Though the script is weak & the movie is a bit light in the romance department, John Patrick Shanley does infuse his story with enough light humor to elicit warm smiles & nods of acknowledgement. There is a distinct Irish charm to the proceedings; even though some of the Irish accents are quite suspect - draining the charm away if it affects you. This is the kind of movie you want to curl up to with some tea & a big quilt on a rainy Sunday afternoon. To all of this, 'Wild Mountain Thyme' is a big 'ole mixed bag that skirts by on a pleasing cast, a you-know-where-it's-heading conclusion & that beauuuutiful setting. But this really should & could have been so much better.
His aging father, Tony (Christopher Walken), isn't helping because he thinks Anthony won't ever ask for Rosemary's hand, and so, he has decided to sell the farm to his wealthy American nephew, Adam (Jon Hamm). Tony is convinced that Anthony won't ever be able to handle the farm on his own after he passes. So, because there would be no movie otherwise, it falls on headstrong Rosemary to get Anthony off his butt, some out of his turtle shell, and do something! You know, like maybe get married, as well. When Adam shows up in Ireland and takes a liking to Rosemary, romantic entanglements ensue.
'Wild Mountain Thyme' is a very conventional star-crossed romantic tale; the kind we've seen countless time over the decades. I don't have an inherent issue with it being classically conventional in some respects {playing up familiar tropes of the genre}. It can be comforting. But my problem with this film is that it doesn't take any risks - maybe with the exception of Anthony claiming to be an allegorical "bee" near the end {what was THAT!?, haha} - and it's kinda sorta ... boring. I hate to use that word, but it applies, here. LOVED the picturesque landscapes, the gorgeous music, seeing Christopher Walken, ditto Emily Blunt, etc. -- but the script is just so bland. I didn't really care about ANYTHING coming out of these characters' mouths.
All that said, I can't hate on the movie too much. Though the script is weak & the movie is a bit light in the romance department, John Patrick Shanley does infuse his story with enough light humor to elicit warm smiles & nods of acknowledgement. There is a distinct Irish charm to the proceedings; even though some of the Irish accents are quite suspect - draining the charm away if it affects you. This is the kind of movie you want to curl up to with some tea & a big quilt on a rainy Sunday afternoon. To all of this, 'Wild Mountain Thyme' is a big 'ole mixed bag that skirts by on a pleasing cast, a you-know-where-it's-heading conclusion & that beauuuutiful setting. But this really should & could have been so much better.