Adapted from a play that director John Patrick Shanley (Moonstruck, Doubt) wrote about his own Irish family, Wild Mountain Thyme is a sweet and funny tale of a couple destined to be together who keep missing their chance. Irish actor Jamie Dornan (Fifty Shades of Grey, A Private War) plays Anthony, an introverted farmer whose Father Tony (Christopher Walken, Hairspray, Deerhunter) isn’t sure he should leave the farm to him. And one of the reasons is that he doesn’t have a wife. Rosemary (Emily Blunt, A Quiet Place, Mary Poppins Returns) lives is on the neighboring farm and has been in love with him since they were children. But can she convince him that he wants her, too?
Rosemary and Anthony are as different as night and day. From an early age she’s been a headstrong horsewoman. And she makes every effort to attract Anthony who sees her as a friend, oblivious to her advances. But Tony has decided that Anthony will never marry and since he won’t have an heir to keep the farm in the family as it has been for generations, he invites their cousin Adam (John Hamm, “Mad Men”, Richard Jewell) from America to come and buy it. And that kicks Anthony into gear. But he’s very shy and confused about asking Rosemary. And when flashy Adam comes to town, driving a Rolls, he realizes he’s running out of time.
Wild Mountain Thyme is a charming romcom set in a beautiful spot with top notch actors. It’s the perfect stay in with your loved one or remote watch together with your gal pals kind of flick. And if you were not familiar with the song in the title, you’ll be humming it for days.
In theaters and on demand on Dec. 11
[Mainstream Chick’s take: I enjoyed this one too. It’s a ‘small’ film with mainstream appeal, and surprisingly quirky. It definitely benefits from the versatility of Jamie Dornan and Emily Blunt. They are about as far from Christian Gray and Mary Poppins as you can get! And the theme song – Wild Mountain Thyme – is both catchy and by the end of the film, truly moving. -hb]