My Name Is Emily is a touching, emotional coming-of-age story about a teenage girl named Emily, brilliantly portrayed by Evanna Lynch. Emily has been dealt a tough hand in life, losing her mother at a young age and being forced to cope with her father's mental collapse. With no support system, Emily is left feeling lost and alone. The story picks up as Emily's father, Robert (Michael Smiley), is institutionalized, leaving her in the custody of her cold and distant aunt (Deirdre Mullins). Feeling suffocated and desperate to escape, Emily decides to set out on a journey across Ireland to find her long-lost father, who she hopes will be able to give her the answers she's been searching for.
Along the way, Emily meets a kindred spirit in Arden (George Webster), a classmate from her special boarding school who has also been dealt a tough hand in life. Together, Emily and Arden embark on an adventure that will change their lives forever.
Director Simon Fitzmaurice imbues the film with a stunning visual aesthetic, capturing the beauty and magic of the Irish countryside alongside the harsh realities of Emily's journey. The film is a poetic, introspective meditation on the human condition, exploring themes of loss, grief, and the quest for self-discovery.
At its core, My Name Is Emily is a character-driven film that revolves around the relationships between its three main characters. Evanna Lynch delivers a career-defining performance as the titular character, imbuing Emily with a raw, authentic vulnerability that is both heartbreaking and inspiring. George Webster provides a strong counterbalance as Arden, bringing humor and lightness to the film while also showcasing a depth of emotional range.
Michael Smiley rounds out the cast with a haunting portrayal of Robert, Emily's father. Though he only appears sporadically throughout the film, Smiley's performance is a standout, capturing the character's inner turmoil and pain with a raw, unflinching honesty.
Overall, My Name Is Emily is a beautifully rendered film that is both touching and inspiring. It is a remarkable achievement for Fitzmaurice, who directed the film despite being diagnosed with ALS and losing the ability to move his body. His passion and commitment shine through in every frame, making My Name Is Emily a true testament to the power of the human spirit.
My Name Is Emily is a 2017 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 34 minutes.
It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5 and a MetaScore of 55.