Love of the Irish lands squarely in that Hallmark comfort‑movie zone where you know exactly what you’re getting, and you’re fine with it because sometimes the brain just wants a soft, cozy narrative that doesn’t demand emotional heavy lifting. Director Ali Liebert and writer Justin D. James clearly understand the Gen‑X audience: people who grew up on cable reruns, sarcasm as a coping mechanism, and the belief that romance should involve at least one person who looks like they’ve been through a few life chapters already. The leads deliver a grounded, grown‑up chemistry that feels like two people who have survived the 90s, the 2000s, and at least one questionable haircut era. And since the movie is streaming on Hallmark+ as part of their Winter Escape lineup, it’s basically engineered for the kind of weeknight where you want to watch something warm without scrolling yourself into oblivion.
The setting is practically a character in its own right. Hallmark went all‑in on the Ireland fantasy package: rolling green hills, stone cottages that look like they were built by wistful poets, pubs that seem to appear out of fog, and a coastline so dramatic it practically begs for a soundtrack of moody 90s alt‑rock. The filming locations lean into the version of Ireland that Gen X has been romanticizing since the days of mixtapes and long car rides, staring out the window and pretending life was a music video. It’s indulgent, scenic, and exactly the kind of escapism that makes you briefly consider moving somewhere with cliffs and fewer emails.
Moira Kelley, though — she is the movie’s gravitational center. She shows up carrying an entire Gen‑X filmography on her shoulders, and the film benefits from every ounce of it. Anyone who grew up in the VHS era remembers her as the fiercely determined figure skater in The Cutting Edge. This movie lived permanently in the living rooms of latchkey kids who could recite entire scenes while heating up pizza rolls. She brought emotional heft to Chaplin, held her own in With Honors, and later became a steady presence on television with The West Wing and One Tree Hill. All that history gives her performance here a lived‑in authority. She doesn’t just play the wise, grounded character; she embodies decades of characters who have already done the emotional heavy lifting.
The romance between the leads unfolds with the classic Hallmark rhythm: misunderstandings, soft glances, and the slow realization that maybe life doesn’t have to be as complicated as everyone insists on making it. It’s predictable, but predictability is part of the charm. It’s the cinematic equivalent of finding an old mixtape and remembering every track without having to think about it. The movie knows exactly what emotional beats it wants to hit, and it hits them with the confidence of someone who has been doing this for a long time.
The script keeps things moving with a balance of sincerity and light humor. Nothing feels forced, and the emotional arcs land with a gentle thump rather than a dramatic crash. It’s a story that knows its limits and doesn’t pretend to be anything other than a cozy winter romance with a scenic backdrop and a cast that understands how to make comfort feel earned. There’s a warmth to the writing that feels like slipping into a familiar sweater you forgot you still owned.
In the end, Love of the Irish is the kind of movie Gen X watches with a blanket, a beverage, and the intention of not being disturbed for 90 minutes. It’s warm, pretty, lightly sentimental, boosted by Moira Kelley doing what she does best, and conveniently streaming on Hallmark+ for maximum ease of access. Four Crowns of Fun, because sometimes a well‑made comfort movie is exactly the right choice.
MPAA Rating: TV-G.
Runtime: 84 mins
Director: Ali Liebert
Writer: Justin D James
Cast: Shenae Grimes-Beech; Stephen Hagan; Moira Kelly
Genre: Drama | Romance
Tagline:
Memorable Movie Quote: "I wish i had better luck"
Distributor: Hallmark +
Official Site:
Release Date: January 4, 2025
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date:
Synopsis: Fiona and her mother embark on an Irish adventure, where Fiona unexpectedly finds love with a charming single dad who helps her embrace her own fortunes.
