Wish I Was Here

"We both spent our entire lives wishing we could be something great and now we're finally called upon to do something that requires some actual bravery."

Aidan Bloom (Braff) is a struggling actor who hasn't worked in years.  His family is financially supported by his wife Sarah (Hudson).  His children, Grace (Hudson) and Tucker (Gagnon) are in Jewish school, which is paid by his father Gabe (Patinkin).  When Gabe's cancer returns, his money goes towards his treatments and the kids are kicked out of school.  Aidan refuses to send the kids to public school and begins homeschooling them.  Aidan's brother Noah (Gad) refuses to help care for their father.  Aidan begins teaching the kids about life, while grappling with his father's illness.



This film marks Zach Braff's second time in the directors chair (following 2004's Garden State).  After the success of Veronica Mars successful Kickstarter campaign, Braff turned to Kickstarter to help fund this film.  Ultimately over 46,000 people donated to the campaign, and the film was picked up by Worldview Entertainment.

I enjoyed Braff on TV's Scrubs, but didn't love Garden State (although I am willing to give it a second try).  However, the previews looked interesting and I was intrigued to see how the Kickstarter campaign helped shape the film.  The trailers and descriptions of the film are misleading.  It seems like it should be a funny film that focuses on the relationship between Braff's Aidan and his children... nothing ever mentioned that it was also emotional.

The film tries too hard... it is ok, but not as great as it seems to think.  It has funny moments and heartwarming moments, but the story doesn't quite know what it's doing.  It is possible to have a funny moment that also deals with serious, emotional moments, but it didn't click here.  Yes, I laughed and cried, and was satisfied with the ending, but most of the characters are not fully fleshed out.  Josh Gad is completely wasted in his role, although he does get a nice moment later in the film.  I loved seeing Donald Faison in a cameo, along with other Scrubs alums in small cameos.

It's hard to describe this film.  I wouldn't recommend it... but I can't condemn it either.  It didn't leave an impression.

Wish I Was Here (2014) 106 minutes
Rating: R for language and some sexual content
Director: Zach Braff
Starring: Zach Braff as Aidan Bloom
Kate Hudson as Sarah Bloom
Joey King as Grace Bloom
Pierce Gagnon as Tucker Bloom
Mandy Patinkin as Gabe Bloom
Josh Gad as Noah Bloom
Ashley Greener as Janine