Around the World: Ireland
The next film in my Around the World venture is closer to home in Ireland and a hell of
a lot more accessible than Scottish and Welsh films, which are proving
difficult to find a copy of. My Name is Emily, has beyond annoying title which
doesn't hint at the story or content or topic apart from the fact its about a
girl named Emily.
Recognized as Luna Lovegood from the Harry Potter books/films, Evanna Lynch
is Emily; a teenager living with foster parents after her dad (Michael Smiley)
is committed to a psychiatric institution. She reminisces and recalls her life
when her dad was successful author and lecturer but after my mother died in an
accident, he started to lose his grip on reality. She has inherited his philosophical
outlook on life and is wise beyond her years and elders at times, but is
otherwise seen as sad and closed off. She catches her classmate, Arden’s eye at
school and attempts to befriend her. He is bewitched by her and says, when he
sees her, he ‘wants to disappear into the pores of her pale skin’ and that
anyone who has been electrocuted would understand how he feels. When Emily
doesn’t receive a letter from her father on her birthday she decides to travel
to the institution and break him out. She asks Arden to help her and seeing as
he has his own issues at home and wants to escape, the two go on a road trip.
Part road trip movie and part self-discovery and part father daughter drama
but by no means over dramatic. The cast are perfect, especially the father
daughter parts as Lynch and Smiley really do look like they could be related. There
is nothing imposing about the characters, as they seem developed but lack
delicate detail, which makes the story easy to follow and enjoy. But there is a
danger of it becoming too sweet and plain at the same time. As it is mainly
about two teenagers going on a road trip, I am reluctant to use the words ‘coming
of age film’ as those words are over used and to be honest, they are already of
age. Despite Emily’s dad being the author
of ‘Swimming and Sex’, there is also the air of innocence about the duo. He
likes her but he never tries it on with her and eventually she opens up to him
and is satisfactory and downplayed.
Of course it wouldn’t be Ireland without a few beautiful landscape shots to
round of the story.
Next up... check out all the films HERE.
