Sam's Blog - Wish I Was Here

I was nervous about WISH I WAS HERE right from the start. Zach Braff wrote, directed, and starred in the film -- the same set up for GARDEN STATE (Braff's ten-year-old debut film), except that now, Braff has had financial help from his fans. Setting that controversy aside, I was worried that this would just be another repeat of GARDEN STATE. The trailer left me with little hope, giving me the impression that it was going to be another string of silly and sappy events. But the beginning of the film shows some disparity: it quickly lays the characters' flaws out on the table, letting you know that it won't be quite as cheesy as the trailer made it out to be.

Braff plays Aidan Bloom, a struggling actor whose diminishing career options leave him strained and impatient, not to mention laying all the financial responsibility on his wife, Sarah (Kate Hudson)... a daunting task with two kids, Grace (Joey King) and Tucker (Pierce Gagnon). Aidan's father, Gabe (Mandy Patinkin) has been paying for Grace and Tucker's education at yeshiva school, something that Aidan and Sarah only embrace because they don't have to pay. But when Gabe's cancer comes back, he announces that he can no longer pay their tuition. So, after an argument about public school, Aidan decides to try his hand at homeschooling. But Grace, the Hermione of Jewish culture, and Tucker, who loves his video games and fart-maker, are a handful, and Aidan must rise to the occasion with more unique tactics. The stakes are raised when Gabe's health rapidly declines, forcing Aidan and his brother, Noah (Josh Gad), to face what might come.

Now, don't get me wrong... a number of the vulnerable moments are a bit sappy and heavy handed, and there are a slew of montages (oh, so many montages) that could have easily been replaced with some more in-depth interactions between the characters. And for an introduction that adeptly thrusts you into the heart of the family's unresolved issues, those issues are too quickly resolved with an inspirational poem or a wise adage from loved ones past. But, these things can be seen as Braff's trademarks -- perhaps he is just a fool for sentiment. Strip these things away, and you're left with a thought-provoking story about living life and embracing death. Aidan and Sarah must deal with death without a religion to guide them, while their children look to them to answer questions that they hadn't gotten to in their Jewish education. There's a great conversation between Aidan and a rabbi, as Aidan reflects on a God that cares more about spiritual connection than about rules and the order of things.

Joey King's character is the compass that keeps the film on track. In a film full of pretty cartoonish depictions of the Jewish culture, Grace follows in her grandfather's footsteps as one of the few normal Jewish people in the story, but also is just a smart kid, with a lot of internal development throughout the film, and with just the right words for her uncle Noah. King's performance is earnest and refreshing, and she adds a touch of sincerity to the cast; and while both Braff and Hudson don't quite seem ready to play Mom and Dad on screen, they work well with each other. Hudson and Patinkin also have a powerful father- and daughter-in-law moment towards the end of the film.

Overall, you aren't going to be blown out of the water, but I recommend seeing the film. Braff's storytelling skills have definitely improved in ten years, and I can only hope that the next film will be even better.