Joyride (2022)

My Review

“Joyride” is an Irish-UK produced drama about two people on a road trip, in mostly stolen vehicles, around County Kerry in Ireland, making an attempt to escape their problems, both within themselves and with the law. One is a 13-year-old boy whose mother has just died, and the other a woman with a newborn baby. Irish director Emer Reynolds and screenwriter Aibhe Keogan put the pair in incredulous situations, stretching and straining the movie’s credibility, wisely keeping the length of the film to 94 minutes, which includes the closing credits.

The performances are earnest enough, with Academy Award winning English actress Olivia Colman in the lead role, changing her accent to Irish for the joyride. Young actor Charlie Reid plays the cheeky teenager, and Lochlann O Mearain portrays his frustrated father. The supporting cast includes mostly Irish and UK actors Olwen Fouere, Aislin McGuckin, Tommy Tiernan, David Pearse, Ruth McCabe, Aisling O’Sullivan, Elaine Kennedy, and Kate Finegan as the stewardess.

“Joyride” did not have the luck of the Irish in theatrical release, as it was a box office bomb, much to the chagrin of Subotica Entertainment, Embankment Films, Screen Ireland, Ingenious Media, and Vertigo Films. It was filmed on location in County Kerry, Ireland.