In between signing up for Wonka and Great Expectations, international treasure Olivia Colman opted to appear in Emer Reynolds’ low-budget Irish road-movie. If those projects are limousines, Joyride is more of a clapped-out banger. Still, at the risk of overextending that metaphor, Colman and Reynolds’ willingness to go off-road makes the journey worthwhile.
“Seriously, I can convince anyone of anything.” So says Joy, a scathing solicitor and troubled new mother, before demonstrating her point. Heading for Kerry airport in a stolen car, with 13 year old runaway, Mully (Charlie Reid; fantastic), Joy wins over a policeman by combining a plausible narrative with a luminously goofy smile and eyes that say “I’ve been hurt before, so please be gentle”. Colman has forged an Oscar-winning career with those exact same weapons. She has many others at her disposal but, in general, her ability to morph into a little girl lost is what slays us and she’s on top form here.
