Wish I Was Here

I had the pleasure of seeing the final release of this film in the Kickstarter Toronto screening - This version we were told was slightly different than that shown at Sundance - a few scenes taken out, music arrangements.

This film is one that I would highly recommend seeing in the theater in order to fully experience just how magical the score is with this Film. The female leads are acted well, and Mandy Patinkin was fantastic. Over all the acting isn't anything spectacular, the story and messages are great - but it is the music (Some original songs) that really make this movie feel whole.

The filming is a more "mature" Garden State with more artsy yet mature angles for each Scene. Zach Braff was not the strongest actor in this film, but his direction and his vision is what really shines through.

If you liked the "indy" style of Garden State - you will fall in love with this movie.

If you want something that will both make you laugh, and cry...this is a great movie to give a try. Keep in mind, this is not a studio film..but is somewhere between studio and Indy...with a perfect mix of vision and execution.

Go see it, enjoy it...it won't be for everyone, but those that like it will really be moved by it.

While this is a Zach Braff movie, it's Josh Gad who has a lot of scene-stealer scenes. Not sure if you could (or should) compare him to early Jack Black, but if you do that analogy/comparison on the degree of how funny they are, I guess you can. Although Gad seems a bit more low key of course (and not only in this, but other movies he did).

Zach is doing his usual thing, which isn't bad, but might feel a bit like the same to viewers. And still the movie is able to get you towards the end, if you have a soft spot for drama. Like I said, I credit Gad mostly for that, but the kid actors are not bad either. This drama is not as good as some others I watched in 2014, but it's more than decent enough

I was a backer of this movie on Kickstarter that got a online viewing. Zach Braff has created a beautiful movie, something realistic that many can relate to. I have no idea why people would give this such a low rating, even if it's not your cup of tea you can not deny the movie of what it deserves, it is a great film.

I laughed and I cried. Wish I Was Here touched me on such a emotional level mainly because I had to watch my Father die of cancer like so many people in this world have had to. And I could relate to the character Noah (Josh Gad) that played Zachs brother in the film.

The performances were great, especially by Mandy Patinkin who just BLEW me away. His acting class. The depth of each of the characters in this movie was amazing, and this is the reason why so many people should be able to relate to at least one of the characters.

I'm not much of a writer, nor am I a reviewer, in fact this is my first ever on IMDb, but I felt compelled to write about it to help give this movie the respect it deserves. So glad I invested in this movie and helped make it happen. If you are looking for something that will tug at your heart but also make you laugh, then go and see it if you get a chance, you won't regret it. Will be watching it again as soon as I can.

Admittedly, this is the first Zach Braff film I have seen. I only saw one trailer for the film, and it immediately intrigued me. I did not hate this film, but I also did not love and found myself in a lukewarm middle ground. For everything I liked, there was something I did not like.

First off, the story. The story as a whole deals with living life and dealing with death which was pulled off fairly well. However, there were several things in the script that I feel like took away from the film and the story Braff was telling. One of the those things were the laughs or lack thereof.

The script thinks its wittier and funnier than it actually is with most jokes missing that hitting. The movie also thinks it's deeper than it actually is. Maybe that's just Braff's style, but to me it seemed like it was more style over substance.

I did really enjoy the soundtrack for the film and Braff gave a good performance as a 30-something-year-old treading the water in his life.

I will definitely give Braff's future movies another shot and will see Garden State soon, but Wish I was Here was just not as good as I hoped it would be.

What is that Zach Braff can't do? Nothing. He can write, direct and act perfectly. Wish I was here is a perfect story that proves this. The movie starts with the childhood dream of two brothers which was to be great and how it is realised by them in the end. The actual problems of family, dreams , expectations are all beautifully depicted. It has its moments, great moments. Not meeting the hopes of a father, a not so ambitious brother, religious children, the wife who works to support the family and the guy who still pursues his dream to be an actor.

Satisfaction, creativity, hope and living your dreams are the words which you will get familiar with in the end.

The music is alive and amazing. The movie has a voice and it is the most important part of telling a story.