Wish I Was Here
Starring Zach Braff, Kate Hudson
Directed by Zach Braff
It’s been 10 years since the success of cult comedy-drama Garden State and, although Zach Braff’s second directorial feature enlisted a Kickstarter campaign for funding, the multi-talented actor, writer and filmmaker proves he can still craft a witty, engaging and ultimately poignant tale about the sometimes apathetic nature of modern suburban life.
Wish I Was Here opens with a rather clunky scene featuring a science-fiction themed daydream, and narration courtesy of struggling actor Aidan Bloom (Braff) before he is snapped back to reality around the breakfast table flanked by his precocious kids (Joey King and Pierce Gagnon) and perpetually supportive wife (Hudson).
The fantasy sequence, like several of the lovable misfires in the film, is actually forgivable because there is no denying Braff’s verve and passion for his work. As the story unfolds, the mid-30s Aidan contends with coping with unemployment, caring for his ailing father, patching things up with an estranged brother, keeping a marriage alive and raising two children.
It all seems like a lot of elements to juggle but Braff handles the material with enough confidence to deftly balance the humour and the pathos. He also surrounds himself with a stellar cast that includes an exceptional Mandy Patinkin, a scene-stealing Josh Gad and Kate Hudson, who displays some of the most nuanced acting of her career.
Wish I Was Here is not without its flaws, as the narrative flow sometimes gets sidetracked, but it bears the unmistakeable mark of a director with a genuine flair for storytelling.
