Irish Jam Review

Well, what can I really say about a movie that involves Eddie Griffin winning an Irish pub in a contest to raise money so a small Irish fishing village will not be turned into an amusement park called Leprechaun Land?  Doesn't that really sum it all up anyways?  It's a "fish out of water" story that is really very similar to King Ralph.  There is a half-hearted attempt at depth and Griffin learning that there's more to life than  taking care of your own interests.  But he is never really portrayed as a bad guy who will sell his own grandmother to make a buck (which is kind of what you're supposed to believe).

This movie is really nothing more than a goofy comedy to showcase Griffin's hip chattiness.  What makes it worse than King Ralph is that it tries to become a morality play.  I never had any delusions of it being a landmark piece or anything like that seeing as how my brother paid $3 for it at Zellers.  But the fact that it even tried kind of bugs me.

So, we've established that it's a bad movie.  But it is really an entertaining movie as well.  Griffin's antics, while not as good as Undercover Brother, are still quite fun to watch.  And the supporting bits from the villagers are pretty fun too.

If you're in the mood for a straight to DVD "classic", I would say see it.  But if "so bad, it's fun" or goofy lead acting is not your thing, give it a miss.  But, for me, it isn't a bad way to waste an hour and a half.