Watch Don't Talk to Irene

Don't Talk to Irene, released in 2017, is a quirky comedy-drama directed by Pat Mills. It stars Michelle McLeod as Irene, a teenage misfit who dreams of becoming a cheerleader despite being overweight and unpopular. Bruce Gray plays Irene's loving yet wheelchair-bound grandmother, while Anastasia Phillips portrays Tesh, Irene's perky and supportive friend.

The movie opens with Irene in a hospital, recovering from an asthma attack. She is told by her doctor that she needs to lose weight and get more exercise. Determined to follow her dream of becoming a cheerleader, Irene joins a local talent show and plans to impress the judges with her cheerleading routine. However, when her schoolmates find out about her plan, they laugh at her and bully her.

Feeling discouraged and dejected, Irene confides in her grandmother, who encourages her to pursue her dreams and not to let anyone bring her down. Inspired by her grandmother's words, Irene decides to form her own cheerleading team with Tesh and some other unlikely candidates, including a wheelchair-bound boy and an elderly man.

As Irene and her team prepare for the talent show, they face numerous obstacles and challenges, such as lack of funding, lack of skills and lack of support from their families and schoolmates. Despite the odds, they work hard and support each other, resulting in a heartwarming and hilarious climax that will leave audiences cheering.

Don't Talk to Irene is a feel-good movie that tackles important issues such as body image, self-esteem and social acceptance, without being preachy or heavy-handed. The movie is a celebration of diversity and empowerment, portraying Irene and her team as brave and resilient individuals who refuse to be defined by their flaws or limitations.

Michelle McLeod shines in the role of Irene, bringing a perfect blend of vulnerability and spunk to the character. She is supported by a wonderful cast, including Bruce Gray as the wise and inspiring grandmother, and Anastasia Phillips as the bubbly and irreverent Tesh. The movie also features some memorable cameos by Canadian stars such as Geena Davis, Scott Thompson and Deborah Mailman.

The movie's direction is slick and stylish, with colorful and inventive visuals that enhance the movie's theme of imagination and creativity. The editing is snappy and dynamic, moving the story along at a brisk pace and keeping the audience engaged.

One of the movie's strengths is its humor, which is wry and ironic without ever tipping over into cynicism or meanness. The movie pokes fun at popular culture and social norms, while at the same time celebrating the virtues of kindness, generosity and inclusion. The movie is not afraid of being silly or absurd, but it never loses sight of its message of hope and optimism.

In conclusion, Don't Talk to Irene is a charming and uplifting movie that will appeal to audiences of all ages and backgrounds. It is a showcase of great acting, directing and writing, and a testament to the power of dreams and friendship. Whether you're a fan of cheerleading or not, you will find something to cheer about in this delightful movie.

Don't Talk to Irene is a 2018 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 22 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4 and a MetaScore of 63.