In celebration of WISH I WAS HERE releasing on January 28th in Australia the kind folks at Transmission Films have given us copies to giveaway on Blu Ray – woot woot. So get excited peeps – this is a fantastic movie. Revisit Kernel Jack’s review below and find out how to win. JK

ORIGINAL ARTICLE FROM JULY 2014

Kernel Jack attended this delightful second film from Zach Braff (GARDEN STATE) at the Sydney Film Festival. WISH I WAS HERE was a crowd funded film via Kickstarter and one that (now retired) Kernel Claire actually donated to, after being such a huge fan of Braff’s GARDEN STATE. The attempt was to crowd fund $2MIL to start the production – he did this in three (I REPEAT 3) days and they ended up closer to $4MIL. It is releasing on July 18th in the U.S. and September 11th in Australia from Transmission Films. It runs for 120mins and based on overseas ratings will probably score an MA15+ rating in Australia. You can stalk the film on their Facebook Page HERE. Enjoy Jack’s review…………all the best………….JK.

 

 

REVIEW BY JACK KEMP

I absolutely love this film and if you love Zach Braff’s previous film GARDEN STATE then you’re sure to love this one.

WISH I WAS HERE is the story of Aidan Bloom, a struggling actor, father and husband, who at 35 is still trying to make his mark as an actor while at the same time trying to hold his family together. When Aidan’s father falls terribly ill they can no longer afford to pay for private education and Aidan refuses to send his kids to an under developed and poorly funded public school. Aidan decides to home school the kids. Through teaching them about life his way, Aidan gradually discovers some of the parts of himself he couldn’t find.

 

 

The casting in this is perfect. JOEY KING (Grace) was the stand out for me. Her commitment to this role is evident when she shaves her head on screen. Her character is a devout Jewish teen with traditional morals, Which is completely different from the rest of the family. Her younger brother TUCKER (Pierce Gagnon) is a typical young boy who loves his video games and has no interest in his Jewish teachings. The banter between Grace and Tucker is funny, Especially when Aidan gets involved. The on-screen chemistry is very believable and from the first moment we see everyone as a family you get a sense of a traditional young family in suburban America.

Whilst this film has a lot of funny moments in, It also has a lot of touching scenes that give little tugs on the ol’ heart string. One scene for example is between Aidan and his wife SARAH (Kate Hudson) as they sit on a beach and talk about their family’s future. Aidan goes through this realisation that his career choices and family aren’t molding as well as he thought. It’s a scene that was really touching as we watch a man’s realisation that he has to make a choice that could mean giving up on his passion and dreams or risk ruining his family. I felt connected to this scene as I am constantly surrounded by artists, actors and musicians who have such a love of the arts and couldn’t imagine the pain and defeat they would feel if they were in a similar situation.

 

 

One thing that I really loved about this film was noticing how much BRAFF has developed and matured as a writer and director. He has really honed his ability to make you laugh and while you’re laughing bring a really sad moment that makes you choke up and fight back the water works. The final moments of the film had the entire State Theatre sniffling and watery eyed.

I would recommend this film to any of you that love Braff’s previous work. Its has a very intimate story wrapped in a perfect cast, beautiful cinematography and the soundtrack of Bon Iver, The Shins, Badley Drawn Boy as well as the collaboratively effort of Cat Power and Coldplay for the title track.

 

 

The film looses one pop for a scene that I felt was a little too forced and unnecessary. Aiden and his wife share this intimate moment in the laundry as he is doing a load. The scene is heavily backlit by the sun, Aidan has his shirt off and his wife comes up behind him being all intimate and affectionate while they talk. It gets awkward when they start to kiss and it feels like it goes for ever… I get it, cut to next scene. Its something you would expect from a film directed by Micheal Bay and starring Ben Affleck. Its something that could have been tightened up in the cutting room and to me it just felt awkward.

Overall Braff and everyone involved has held up to the level of expectation. Go see it. Do it. You will not be disappointed.

 

 

With special thanks to TRANSMISSION FILMS to win one of the 4X Blu Rays of WISH I WAS HERE you need to either like and share/ retweet this post on Facebook/Twitter/ Google+/ Pinterest/ LinkedIn/ Flipboard or Instagram (all the links to follow us are on the top right of homepage), you then need to leave a comment below stating the answer/s to the following questions:

What is your favourite Kate Hudson movie and why?  For me, there can only ever be won, ALMOST FAMOUS – one of the very first movies I ever reviewed – I was writing for THE SURRY SCENE – this little Surry Hills local publication. It was my first screening in a theatrette and I felt powerful hahaha

If you do not have Facebook and Twitter then get with the times old timer haha – You can still enter, leave your entry below and email me at jking@saltypopcorn.com.au telling me you don’t have social media 

Good luck! Oh, and minor housekeeping – huge apologies for overseas readers, this competition is only available to Australian residents.