Source: thehollywoodnews.com
Words by Johnny Harkin
Director: Zach Braff
Screenplay: Adam J. Braff & Zach Braff
Cast: Zach Braff, Kate Hudson, Joey King, Pierce Gagnon, Mandy Patinkin, Jim Parsons, Josh Gad
Synopsis: Aidan Bloom is a middle-aged man who finds himself at a major crossroads in his life. This forces him to examine his careers, his family, and his own life.
THE concept isn’t anything too new or drastic. Middle-aged Caucasian male finds himself in the dumps; he’s poor, his career is going nowhere and his family needs him to step up and lead the way. Wish I was Here isn’t a strikingly different concept, but the intrigue lies in the way it tells the audience its story.
Director, Zach Braff, explores very emotionally heartfelt territory, but this type of narrative has already been explored extensively in the past, even in Braff’s previous films (Garden State – 2004). So, what’s the verdict? Is it any good?
Source: zap2it.com
Yes, it is good, but that’s really just it. Wish I Was Here is at times funny, reflective, sad, with an emphasis on philosophical insight on the human condition throughout. It isn’t anything new, but it is a personal film, one which Braff imparts his own spin onto. Above all else, it’s a genuine movie.
Something I can’t fault is the actor’s performances. I didn’t have any issues with how each character was portrayed. In particular, I enjoyed watching the development of Aidan Bloom’s daughter Grace (played by Joey King), who transforms from this devout bookish young girl into a very wise and beautiful young lady.
The soundtrack is a mix of alternative, indie beauty. The album comprises of artists such as Bon Iver, and Cat Power in collaboration with Coldplay, even writing songs specifically for the film. Personally, the soundtrack is one of the highlights from Wish I Was Here; it enriches the tone the Braff tries to achieve. Each song is notably similar in terms of the melody, with each song usually paired with some hit or miss philosophical wisdom.
The movie has a pocketful of really perfect moments each with their little gems of life-learned wisdom, but I think that there is simply too many of them. The film becomes more a collection of life lessons wrapped up by wise words and the story is forgotten. This would have been perfect at one or two, but Wish I Was Here begins to fall into a scene formula of sorts. First there is a struggle, then a pearl of wisdom comes along delivered by a character, a song slowly fades as it cuts to a montage, then it slowly fades to black. And repeat.
Source: domain.com.au
Wish I Was Here tries very hard, almost too hard to be more on a deeper and spiritual level than it already is. It has a lot of potential, which for the most part doesn’t build to anything. When describing the move to another, it’s difficult to say anything more other than it was good. Not awful. Not a masterpiece. Just good.
Overall, Wish I Was Here is an enjoyable film about the relationship between a father and his children. It is an emotional rollercoaster, taking you from swear jay funny moments to the complete other side of the spectrum.
MM 6/10
Category: FEATURED, FILM, Uncategorized
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