Don't Talk to Irene (2017) User Reviews

Don't give up your dreams

[deloudelouvain · 7/10 · 1 May 2018]

A movie about a fat girl having a dream becoming a cheerleader, that's not immediately the thing I had in mind while thinking about a good movie. Not really the thing I would go for normally. But if I have to be honest I was pleasantly surprised by Don't Talk To Irene. It's a movie with a lot of funny moments, aspecially the talk. Irene, played by Michelle McLeod, is fat and not goodlooking, she talks to a poster of Geena Davis as her motivational speaker. What follows is a girl that doesn't get and doesn't mind being bullied, she just wants to achieve her dream, and she will do whatever it takes. It's a nice story about people that are a bit outcasted, but that don't really mind, and do whatever they like to do. There are enough funny moments to make it a good comedy. Much better than I expected it to be.

Fun, that's all i can say.

[ariqakbar · 6/10 · 14 October 2018]

Easy storyline, good performance from the character. if ruth have part as much as irene it would be more good i think. haha

if you need some movie to start your day in a good way, this may be one of them.

Cute

[jasminekorus-52617 · 6/10 · 7 July 2020]

This movie and it's entire theory was super cute. It teaches you that you should never give up and that strength is important. It also showcases a great amount of bullying in today's schools

Don't talk to Irene

[youngbooty · 1/10 · 6 September 2018]

This movie made me wish I had her perseverance and would stand up for what I believed in and felt no matter what people thought of her she did it and I loved it a funny good feeling movie to sit back and chill with

Provides genuine laughs and pulls at your heart...

[AlsExGal · 8/10 · 7 August 2020]

... and begs the question, why DO we sentence people to community service? I understand the intention - to get someone out of themselves by serving the community, but don't the poor, the sick, and the elderly deserve better than people who are being forced to care? But I digress. And why I even brought this up will become clearer - maybe - further on in the review.

This is one of those 'little indie'movies that make the film festival rounds, and usually gets lost in the shadow of Hollywood blockbusters..but this one's worth a watch. Irene, played by Michelle McLeod, is an overweight teen who talks to/with a poster of Geena Davis.. Davis gives her motivational direction..and considering she's not even in the movie, Davis gets some great lines. Irene is forbidden internet access, cell phones and TV by a mother who thinks sheltering her will spare her the bullying of the real world. Mom (Anastasia Phillips) was a popular high school cheerleader, whose teen pregnancy re-wrote her future..she vacillates between smothering her daughter and being brutally honest about how 'fat girls' are perceived in today's culture.

Irene is determined to become a cheerleader too, which makes her a laughing stock at school and the butt of a cruel practical joke that lands her, and two of the instigators, on suspension and assigned to work at the retirement home next door to the school. The characters in the home are no-nonsense real..no sweet little old grandmas here--and the performances of the three seniors closest to Irene (Bruce Gray, Joan Gregson and Deborah Grover) are honest and quirky. Scott Thompsn plays the home's director who will ignore most things just to keep his job, Andy Reid plays the non-comformist of questionable gender, and Aviva Mongillo is the epitome of the stereotypical 'mean girl'. All turn in laudable performances.

Irene listens to Davis's advice to 'never give up', and actually starts believing it..we don't know whether to feel sorry or hopeful for her, but she uses her enthusiasm for cheerleading (and some stolen vodka) to start her own cheer team--among the seniors, and a lot of people are affected by her new found tenacity. The ending may have been a little more sugar coated than was necessary, but I liked the film because it was filled with imperfect atypical characters, each allowed their own small story, who find their way into Irene's world.

Newbie McLeod is quite good, fighting tears as her face genuinely registers pain in one moving scene. She may not have the polish of Saoirse Ronan in Lady Bird, but this teen story is just as entertaining as that film, and maybe more original in style and execution. The film provides genuine laughs and pulls at your hear

Nice to be surprised

[eyefordetail · 8/10 · 15 April 2018]

So often these days you find movies where the trailer was better than the movie itself. This movie is simple and honest. A good story well told and well acted. I love indie movies for this reason. It entertains without pretense and delights with small surprises. If this movie does not surprise you I would be amazed. Loved it.

FAT CHANCE

[MadamWarden · 4/10 · 25 November 2019]

A weak movie that has one or two laughs and the message that fat, tall, gay, binary and elderly, you can still succeed in life. Yahoo....

Predictable but some laughs

[tlharrison-59546 · 5/10 · 11 July 2022]

Raunchy humor. Very predictable story throughout. The cast did a good job but the writing wasn't great. Some jokes were written very well, and delivered perfectly -- but plenty of jokes fell flat. I wouldn't recommend this movie as anything but background noise.

I also kept thinking how similar this movie is to Dumplin' (fat teen who can't relate to her mother, finds comfort in a celebrity etc.) and felt this movie just ripped that one off, but this movie was actually released many months before Dumplin'.

Wasn't expecting to love it this much

[counting_starss · 9/10 · 29 March 2018]

I watched this on tmn on demand. They don't always have great movies but I put this on because I was bored and planning on falling asleep to it. I loved it. There's a great message to it, the script was great and the acting was amazing. I've never reviewed a movie before, but this one was just awesome. Definitely worth the watch

Light weight entertainment.

[elmoslively · 8/10 · 22 October 2018]

This is a fun movie with a light, breezy script. It's easy to watch and doesn't appear to have any deep, dark socio-political statement. If you're looking for nice way to pass an evening, then this is the film for you. To top it off it's almost 100% Canadian made. Enjoy!

Not bad, but not amazing either

[Eburon · 5/10 · 21 August 2018]

From early on in the movie it becomes clear that the plot is going to be quite predictable. The weird, obnoxious girl who dreams of becoming a cheerleader? Yeah, everybody immediately should know how this is going to turn out. The humour throughout the movie is mostly quite well done, with some low points being the forced jokes that pop up whenever Sarah and Robbie talk to each other. At the end of the day this isn't a very memorable movie to me.

So obviously Canadian

[mortonbcaplan · 2/10 · 20 May 2022]

Why would they cast as a mother an actress who appears to be a few years older than her daughter? It is a good outlet for an overweight actress as the daughter!

If you have impossible to achieve dreams and no means to get them; This is the film for you!

[eternity4ever · 9/10 · 10 March 2018]

I was really REALLY pleasantly surprised with this movie, so much so that I saw it a few times over a weekend.

"Don't Talk To Irene" is about Irene, a chubby teenage outcast stuck in a sleepy, dumpy North American town. Due to her over-protective neurotic mother, Irene has no computer, TV, or Cell-phone which makes her "the biggest loser in her town's entire teenaged history." With no friends or family to talk to, constantly ridiculed by the student body and bullied by the popular kids, Irene lives in a fantasy world where she gets daily advice from Actress Geena Davis and dreams of becoming a cheerleader.

When her bullies' latest prank lands all of them into community service at a retirement home, Irene decides to form her own unusual cheer-squad, made up of bored seniors and various other town eccentrics, in order to win a National Talent Constent to prove her school and her dismissive mom that she is a cheerleader material...

Firstly, the acting AND the casting were phenomenal! From the mean popular girl to the transgender outcast to the widower ex-boxer to the over-protective mom, all the characters had their own stories to tell. Seriously, all the characters were so unique and quirky that it was great fun watching them clash, bicker, bond AND Dance with each other.

Even though, the movie has a sharp, witty and whimsical tone (thanks to its Award winning script), it also explores a lot of profound themes such as depression, bullying, loneliness, and Prejuidice. ALL the characters were somehow broken or hurting badly, which made them so much easier to relate to. And, it was all the more powerful to see their pain ease up a little as they all get involved in Irene's crazy scheme to be on National Television. It was also quite touching to see Irene bond people for the first time in her life and grow as an individual.

I went in feeling very sorry for the lonely Irene but when the movie ended, I was like, she is so lucky to have that many amazing people in her life. I wish I could I attend to their weekly Vodka and 90s Music Dance Parties!

80s & 90s soundtrack was spot-on and I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the film's message of individuality and always following your dreams no matter how many people try to discourage you. life is not a popularity contest; it's about following your passions while connecting with other people and having fun.

If you like feel-good Indie movies like Little Miss Sunshine, Billy Elliott, Napoleon Dynamite; give this one a try!

Irene is a hoot!

[kz917-1 · 8/10 · 25 June 2018]

Irene wants to be a cheerleader and she'll do just about anything including licking the boys locker room floor. Irene ends up getting suspended and volunteering at the senior home next to the high school.

Irene ends up lifting the spirits of the residents by getting them to tryout for a reality show with a dance routine.

Really good story and funny cast.

Worth a watch - you will be entertained!

Heck yeah

[elledevon · 10/10 · 16 July 2022]

Heck yes watch this, they will not allow us to use other four letter words which I was going to use as they were indeed necessary. I have to admit I had heard nothing about this secret gem. Scrolling through prime to avoid political commercials, reruns and reality tv, I stumbled upon it and holy macaroni! The entertainment industry made something that was not entirely regurgitated! This is really unexpected and I was delighted! You go Irene you so have everything! You will not understand that statement unless you watch.

A really nice movie with a hint of comedy and sarcasm

[irfansalim85 · 8/10 · 14 April 2018]

To be honest I was a little skeptical about this movie. Whether it would be a good watch or not. It was a really nice movie with moments where you would have a good laugh. The story-line is really typical and you can sort of predict the ending. But overall it is a good watch and gives a good moral at the end.

A good watch for the weekend.

An Adult Teen Film

[westsideschl · 8/10 · 20 June 2018]

I was expecting dumb dialogue and older teens acting more like middle schoolers. The plot was a bit stale and used before: Youth convinces sit 'n watch tele retirees that they can be 'ornery 'n feisty and be a cheerleading team. Yeah, sure, except it was well acted with a bit raw anatomical dialogue and similar perversions(?). There is some of the usual H.S. teen based film scenarios such as bullying, and of course teachers/administrators portrayed as losers. Most part intelligent no-holds-barred dialogue amongst a disparate range of characters and their flaws.

#TeamIrene

[jyoung-16888 · 10/10 · 20 June 2018]

LOVED IT! loved everything about this movie. A great story, great writing and the actors were incredible. Had me crying tears at the end. So well done.

As many memorable punchlines as "Heathers!"

[jacquelineabaker · 8/10 · 25 August 2018]

This movie could have been much more predictable but some great writing pulled it up! I found myself howling at some of the Retiree repartee! While this movie probably was done by a newer director, it kept my attention and certainly generated laughs through some unrealistic scenarios. You have to look at the entire thing as a fantasy - especially with the Greens Davis narrative. While it can't be held up as Oscar worthy, I guarantee that some of the funniest lines will have you laughing days from now. Also, mad props to lead actress Michelle McLeod for so unselfconsciously playing Irene and making someone who at first came across as homely and pathetic into a totally lovable character by movie's end. A FUN WATCH!!

SURPRISE! Great Story & Well Done

[Znoodles · 8/10 · 1 July 2019]

Michelle McLeod delivers a super performance. She has range from sad to happy, thoughtful & empathetic. From time to time, watching a movie that doesn't include car chases & gore is good for the heart. Geena Davis has produced a movie that should be required viewing for all pre-teen girls & their families. To promote a can-do attitude & to keep the goal in sight is a necessary message for ALL young people growing up surrounded by ads for unobtainable perfection. Editing, direction & soundtrack are woven together for a very watchable family movie. Everyone should have a hero & in this movie, mine is Veena Davis.

Surprised and loved it!

[mironin-2 · 9/10 · 2 October 2019]

Soundtrack, Geena Davis, such a tremendous mix! Loved it so much, like a fairytales kind movies from 70-80s.

Funny, edgy, and heartwarming!

[conniewarner · 10/10 · 13 August 2022]

This movie was both edgy and heartwarming-which is not typical and one reason I loved it so much! Mostly feel good but some not so feel good thrown in to shake things up a bit. Funny too-both chuckles and laugh out loud. Really enjoyed it and very entertaining!

Feel good movie

[loubug-16500 · 9/10 · 15 July 2018]

It was a cute, funny, and quirky movie! It's a feel good movie that you'll surprisingly end up loving.

Wonderful!

[filmmakersis · 10/10 · 1 September 2018]

This was a delight to watch, through and through. I am obsessed with the lead actress! She was awesome. Definitely a feel good tale.

Enjoyable and light hearted

[taub82 · 9/10 · 20 January 2019]

It is an enjoyable and feel good movie. The main character is likeable and the movie never gets too dark. The ending isn't sorry predictable but it leaves you feeling good.