FINDING YOU, US, 2021, Comedy and drama in Ireland. Starring Rose Reid, Jedediah Goodacre, Katherine McNamara, Vanessa Redgrave, Tom Everett Scott, Judith Hoag, Saoirse-Monica Jackson, Patrick Bergin, Fiona Bell. Directed by Brian Baugh. 118 minutes, Rated PG (Mild themes, fantasy violence and coarse language).
Finding You is a pleasingly entertaining story with a number of strands and subplots, ensuring there is plenty for the young adult audience, enjoyment for the middle-aged, and some good drama for older audiences – and some visual echoes of Game of Thrones for the fans of all ages.
The opening of the film is in a busy New York City, where Finley (a charming, strong-minded Rose Reid) plays the violin and goes to an audition – and fails. Before you can say 'Mother Machree' (if you do), Finley is on an Aer Lingus flight to Dublin, following her brother’s footsteps, to do a summer course in County Louth, Ireland. She is upgraded to First Class (the audience immediately a touch envious!) and finds herself sitting next to the star of a heroes and dragons films, shot in Ireland. He is Beckett (a touch reminiscent of Kit Harrington’s looks, something of an unwilling celebrity, still rather boyish in many ways). He is played by Canadian actor, Jedediah Goodacre (now there’s a name).
It is a great relief for all of us that most of the rest of the film is set in rural Ireland, in an attractive village in County Louth. There is a picturesque coastline and some visits to the Cliffs of Moher. And Finley’s accommodation is a lovely B&B, with a family her brother stayed with. And, when she is asked to take the breakfast into the guest, who does he turn out to be.
Finley is not very impressed by Beckett at all. He, on the other hand, is controlled by his father who is his manager, who manipulates the press with gossip-magazine stories, especially about his relationship with his co-star. In fact, Beckett really would like a life outside the movies. But, as mentioned about Game of Thrones fans, there are some enjoyable sequences on the film set, costumes and action, swords and fights, dragons breathing smoke.
We know there is going to be a romance but is rather an intricate way of getting there, starting with Beckett asking Finley to help him rehearse his lines. She does so reluctantly. But, some melting of her haughty attitude, his taking her to the local pub where Seamus, the local drinking busker who plays a mean fiddle (an engaging Patrick Bergin), invites her to join him, urging her to move away from technique and to feel the music. She does. And Beckett offers to be a tour guide. And she is searching for a Celtic cross which was sketched by her brother, quest to her.
In case the older audience feels left out by events so far, there is a strong subplot focusing on a crotchety old lady in a nursing home – and, she is played, a master class as always, by Vanessa Redgrave. Finley, as part of the course in Ireland, is to accompany her. Much easier said than done – and the old lady has a sad back story that needs to be explored.
So, Finley has to go back to New York for an audition but she is better prepared to play more personally. Beckett has to face his father and reality and make choices. But, most will be glad to know that we do go back to Ireland.
A pleasant entertainment with something for everyone.
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