Never mind people. The problem with this comedy is the cliches. It could not be more Irish if it was dropped into a pint of Guinness and rolled in shamrocks by a dancing leprechaun. The script is co-written by the American actor Paul Reiser, with a very broad sense of humour, though it’s likable enough. Colm Meaney is also on decent form as undertaker Ciáran, whose elderly father Fergus (Des Keogh) has a deathbed request: he wants to heal a rift with the American side of the family that has rumbled on for a couple of generations.
Over in New York, Reiser plays American cousin Barry, a real-estate tycoon. He’s recovering from the double whammy of a heart attack and divorce, which puts him in the sentimental mood for a family reunion. So off he flies, back to the old country. Initially, Barry is charmed by the beauty of the landscape and the quirky locals – among them a B&B owner with Mrs Doyle levels of pushiness and a pair of teenagers constantly putting on terrible American accents. The poor actors seem to have been directed to play it full-on, with exaggerated facial expressions and slightly embarrassing oversize performances.
The family reunion sours after Fergus slips away peacefully in his sleep and Ciáran discovers that his father has changed his will – leaving half of everything to cousin Barry. The feud is reignited, although the movie is too cheerful and good natured for things to get really nasty. And the idea of families going to war over inheritance disputes feels undeveloped. Perhaps it’s a matter of taste, but I would have enjoyed a little more twisted humour – a version from Martin McDonagh taking it to the dark side.
• The Problem with People is in UK and Irish cinemas from 8 November, and Australian cinemas from 12 December.
