Darren Thornton’s (A Date For Mad Mary) Ireland-set remake of the Italian film Mid-August Lunch is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Edward is a gay Irish novelist whose career and love life have stalled due to the demands of caring for his ailing mother Alma. He’s kept sane by a group of friends in similar situations. That is until those friends spontaneously decide to make a break for a Pride festival in the Canaries, leaving their mothers on Edward and Alma’s doorstep. Suddenly, an already stressed Edward has not one but four very different older women to look after – and he’s soon pushed to breaking point.
The impeccable cast skillfully capture the film’s emotional core while delivering knockout comedy performances.
Dir: Darren Thornton
Cast: James McArdle, Fionnula Flanagan, Dearbhla Molloy
89 mins. Ireland. 2024. 15A (IFCO) / 15A (BBFC)
Awards: Audience Award – London Film Festival 2024
