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Viewed at Kickstarter pre-screening in Toronto:

Although sometimes dragged down by the sheer weight of it all, Zach Braff's "Wish I Was Here" is a massively heartwarming, enjoyable, and refreshing tale of love and loss which is sure to tug at your heart at one point or another.

Even though it's been criticized for being "indie" or "hipster," the film features less of those "genres" clichés as Braff's previous film, "Garden State," or even some other films such as "(500) Days of Summer" and "Away We Go" - it feels much more "mainstream." It relies a bit more heavily on comedy than it does drama which makes it an easier film to just throw in and enjoy, but when the tense parts do come, they'll be sure to move you.

Including all of Braff's usual suspects such as Jim Parsons, Michael Weston, and Donald Faison, the film boasts incredible performances by both youngster Joey King and veteran Mandy Patinkin.

If it isn't remembered for anything else, Wish I Was Here may go down as one of the most controversial crowdfunded films ever made for reasons that didn't even involve the film's ambitions or content. When Braff announced in 2013 his sophomore directorial effort would be funded by generous donations and contributions from fans and supporters of his work on the popular crowdfunding website Kickstarter, backlash ensued, questioning Braff's business asking for contributions when he, himself, had presumably made a great deal of money from his last film Garden State ad his recurring role on TV's Scrubs. Despite considerable flak, Braff managed to reach his goal of $2 million in just three days, ending up with over $3 million from almost 47,000 people and the result is the offbeat but likable Wish I Was Here.

The film stars Braff, who also co-wrote the film with his brother Adam, as Aidan Bloom, a thirty-five-year old father desperately trying to work as an actor in Los Angeles, while struggling to support his wife Sarah (Kate Hudson) and their two children, Tucker (Pierce Gagnon) and Grace (Joey King). Tucker and Grace are blessed to go to a private, Orthodox Jewish school thanks to assistance from Aidan's father Gabe (Mandy Patinkin), which lightens the financial burden Aidan and Sarah are already having a hard time bearing. Tragedy strikes when Gabe reveals to Aidan that his cancer has reoccurred, he regretfully cuts the education fund for the children so the money can be spent on much needed radiation treatment. After realizing that no aid will be provided from the Orthodox Jewish school (make whatever joke you want, Braff sure does), Sarah proposes the idea of having Aidan, who is already more-or-less a stay at home father, homeschool the children, which leads to an early midlife crisis on part of Aidan, who wants to remain worthwhile and, most importantly, worth something.

If there has been a recurring theme in the films of 2014, between Birdman, Top Five, and now Wish I Was Here, it's the desire to rise above critics and feel like you matter in a big way. Wish I Was Here concerns ideas of self-worth and personal pride in realistic ways, given the fact that Aidan's lack of consistent income and casual disapproval from his father hurts in more ways than he allows be shown. Also affected by diminishing feelings of value is Aidan's brother Noah (Josh Gad), who lives alone and relishes in the childlike whimsy of attending comic conventions and cosplaying rather than owning up to actual, adult responsibilities, again, much to the dismay of his father.

Wish I Was Here is also an interesting film about early millennials finally adhering to the responsibilities they long put off when they are forced to make challenging, life-altering decisions that were either ignored or made by one of their superiors. While Braff isn't, by definition, a millennial, his filmmaking sensibilities reflect that of a generation driven by change, experimentation, and the lack of uniformed convention, and Wish I Was Here follows a couple who seemed to be taken by that kind of youthful idealism only to settle into having a family and accepting the same responsibilities their parents had to. Even if the characters aren't handling situations in the fabled "right way" (case and point, when Aidan confronts one of Sarah's coworkers who has been prolific in sexually-harassing her), we can at least see and accept the fact these characters are trying.

I wasn't a big fan of Garden State, Braff's first directorial effort; I found everything a little too artificial, the humor a little too inconsistent, and the characters a bit too cutesy. With Wish I Was Here, it's as if Braff himself, grew up too, in an emotional and assured manner. The film remains fiercely likable, never too unbelievable, and consistently funny, as Braff's impeccable deadpan, verbal banter allows for a new layer of fun to be carried out, and when one views the film as an imploring wakeup call to grow up and accept responsibility, Wish I Was Here becomes one of the most important comedies of 2014.

Starring: Zach Braff, Kate Hudson, Pierce Gagnon, Joey King, Josh Gad, and Mandy Patinkin. Directed by: Zach Braff.

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

Don't listen to the critics. Zach Braff's new movie is actually very good with a lot of heart and emotion to it. In some ways, it surpasses Braff's other movie Garden State. You can tell this is a movie that he wanted to make for a long time. Whilst Garden state was a more autobiographical movie, this is more of Braff making you go on an experience . It somewhat reminds me of Lost in translation. There's not really a plot of kinds but is like going on some sort of experience. It's really about the relationship between the character of Aidan Bloom (Braff) and his family and not much else. Also, like Lost in Translation it has many comic moments due to the comedic talent of its two main stars. Throw in some entertaining cameos from Braff's Scrubs co star Donald Faison and Jim Parsons and you have a well rounded movie. If there's one "indie" film you have to see this year, go see Wish I was here. By the end of it, you'll be glad you were there.

At the Guild 45th in Wallingford, I went to a matinée of Zach Braff's just released film Wish I Was Here. The making of this film was somewhat controversial because Braff used Kickstarter to raise funds for the film he co-wrote with his brother Adam Braff, so that he could make it exactly how he wanted to. While I enjoyed the film and found it to be touching and moving at times and very funny at other times, there was nothing about it that was brilliant. The cast includes Braff as Aidan Bloom, Kate Hudson as his supportive wife Sarah, Mandy Patinkin as his father, Josh Gad as his brother Noah, and Joey King and Pierce Gagnon as his daughter and son. I thought King was quite good in her role as an almost teen-aged girl.

I certainly don't regret seeing this film, but there really isn't much to recommend it either. But if you happen to be somewhere where it is playing and are just a bit curious, go ahead and see it. I don't think you will regret it.

I was actually one of the funders for this movie, and backstage it looked like it's going to be really good. But I guess sometimes no matter how much effort you put or how many gadgets you have - it's not enough.

The script really disappointed me. A lot of stories shoved into an hour and a half movie. And it sort of tried to deliver a message about life, but it comes out very pretentious...

I did love the Jewish references and the talented cast. Although, Zach Braff isn't very convincing as a father. I do appreciate him as an actor and I loved Garden State, but this one was just not it. I feel bad for all the money raised for it.

Hope his next film (if there will be one) will have more heart in it..and more thought to the script.

Why they call it a comedy I don't know? To me a comedy is something that makes me laugh, it's about being happy, about feeling good. This movie is just a family drama, not a comedy, unless you count the odd funny thing they say every now and then. I don't say the movie is bad, it's just not my thing. If you are looking for some laughs then this movie is not for you. If you are looking for a family with a lot of drama about dying, with a lot of bull about God and religion, about actors trying to give you a life lesson and other boring stuff then this movie is definitely for you. The actors are not bad, the filming is okay, and that's about it. I watched it once and it will just stay once.

Aidan Bloom(Zack Braff) is a father that is trying to figure thing out. He fills like it might just be a little bit too late.

This movie is a film like the rest, but unique in its own ways'. It brings happiness, family, and death into one unique story. It gives a sense of growth,and what it means too loose everything.

It takes a different take on a coming-to-age film, that adds a sense of growth. It has good enough acting, and an alright plot. It gives good character development and enough time to grow and care for the story.

Wish I Was Here is a good growing film, where the characters matter and the story grows. Its not my number one film, but it isn't a film to miss. It isn't to long and keeps you interested. I would recommend it too anyone.

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.

I'm a Zach Braff fan. I think "Garden State" is a great movie and "Scrubs" is one of my favorite TV shows. I may be biased and had high expectations, but Zach Braff's film "Wish I Was Here" disappointed me. It has the themes of "Garden State" with more of a "Scrubs" humor that don't always work well together.

"Wish I Was Here" tells the story of Aidan Bloom (Braff) as he tries to fulfill his dream of becoming an actor while trying to raise his two kids Grace (Joey King) and Tucker (Pierce Gagnon) with his wife Sarah (Kate Hudson). Aidan's father Gabe (Mandy Patinkin) reveals that he has cancer and Aidan struggles with morality and trying to reconcile his father and brother Noah's (Josh Gad) complicated relationship. It's a film about fatherhood, religion, mortality, and how far can we chase our dreams.

There's a lot going on here. Maybe too much. It can be a heavy handed at times about religion. All the story lines are crossed, but they don't all feel essential, like Sarah's trouble at work or Noah's comic con trip. Braff is able to bring all the themes and motifs together by the end and make them feel complete, but the story becomes too forced in the process.

Braff means well with all these themes and motifs, but the uneven blend of humor and drama and the repetitive dialogue makes it hard to fully enjoy. Luckily, everyone in the cast gives solid performances. King and Gagnon are great as Aidan's kids. Gagnon is a scene stealer and King shows great potential as an actress. The cast is able to make most of the jokes work and capture the sentimental moments.

Of course, the soundtrack is really good. We hear artists like Bon Iver, Coldplay, Cat Power, Badly Drawn Boy, Radical Face, The Weepies, and many more. If you like indie rock, you'll enjoy this soundtrack. Although it's good, I don't think it was as memorable as the "Garden State" soundtrack.

Myron I. Kerstein's editing is great during the montages, but you can catch a lot of small errors, like a door that was just closed being open again or a person in one position switching to another in less than a second. It can be distracting. Lawrence Sher's cinematography is quite beautiful though. It's very picturesque and the colors feel very potent at times. One of my favorite moments is when Gabe talks about when Aidan and Noah used to chase after an ice cream truck at night when the fireflies are out. The editing and cinematography work very well in this scene.

Braff's "Wish I Was Here" is a nice sentimental film, but it has its faults that can't be ignored. We may have seen stories similar to this, but Braff does a good enough job that I think it's worth watching.

In my opinion, the critics have it all wrong with this film.

"Wish I Was Here" from director and writer Zach Braff ("Garden State") is another terrific film that deals with real life issues that most can relate to. Not only does Braff's direction capture Southern California and human emotion quite well, his screenplay is witty, smart and deep.

To top it off, Zach Braff's performance as a 35-year-old father, husband and struggling actor is terrific. He works well with his supporting cast including Kate Hudson, in her best performance in a long time, Mandy Patinkin, Joey King and Josh Gad.

If you are looking for a film about self discovery topped with comedy and deep human emotions, then give "Wish I Was Here" a try and ignore the critics. This may be one of my favorite films of the year.

Aidan Bloom (Zach Braff) is a struggling actor. His wife Sarah (Kate Hudson) is tired working as the bread winner. His father Gabe (Mandy Patinkin) is paying for his kids' private school tuition. However Gabe's cancer has returned and he won't be able to pay for school anymore. His kids have to be to homeschooled. Noah (Josh Gad) is his unemployed father-hating trailer-living brother. Noah falls for his neighbor Janine (Ashley Greene) who makes costumes for Comic-con and hates him. Daughter Grace (Joey King) is falling for the dreamy Jesse.

I really like Zach Braff's 'Garden State'. However there are little things in this movie that bugged me. The family doesn't seem natural at first. It feels cobbled together like a sitcom family. I don't see Kate Hudson as the mother and I certainly don't see her working in a cubicle. Again, her workplace comedy seems too much like a sitcom. It feels a little fake. The kids are cute but again, I don't believe Zach Braff is their dad. The family does grow on me over time and eventually there are some good moments.

There are some slapstick that really bug me for some reason. The rabbi on a segway in the hospital is a bit too much. It's too stupid and seems out of place. I do appreciate Zach trying to add some spirituality into this movie. This has a sweet heartfelt nature but not as much charm as his first effort.

I got this one at the local library. And said to myself I'd better do something while the movie builds up. In the end I guess I have felt the need to peek at the screen four times. I did it only twice. Once to see the costumes. Which were ugly. And credible. Meaning very amateur.

There is so much religion in there. It takes a lot of time. But what is the point? An elegy of wasted life under the all seeing eye of god or something? The old man is a bigot. And quite an a hole. So what? All this to point out why things are not working out so well? This one was in the section of comedy. But I failed to notice the comedy. Maybe there was some visual gag that lacked the audible cue. It is not a drama either as nobody is struggling to do anything. SciFi B side movie maybe?

Contact me with Questions, Comments or Suggestions ryitfork @ bitmail.ch

Firstly I really like his previous movie "Garden State" which was his first attempt as a filmmaker.

His second movie "Wish I Was Here" goes in the same direction as Garden State did, I really enjoyed watching it, but the lack of a coherent story especially the end left me clueless. Zach Braff really knows how he is going to send you on a feels trip, and but the connection between the story lines was too thin. I can see what he meant with the spacemen scenes and so on but Zach left you with the feeling that something is missing. Maybe it was supposed to be like that, but hmm I don't know.

At the end, it's a movie you can easily watch with your girlfriend or maybe i you haven't one.. alone. But you will definitely have fun with this movie. You will laugh, cry and hate. This movie send me on a feels trip and that is amazing cause not many movies can do this to me. So enjoy :)

After the masterful "Garden State" (also starring Zach Braff) that I enjoyed immensely along with everybody else, I was kind of hoping that lightning in a bottle would strike twice. And in fact, you can see what Braff was trying to accomplish here: a similar slice of life genre film ala' Garden State 2. And many of the same elements are here too: several really good actors, and some touchy feely moments mixed in with a bit of irony and poignancy. Unfortunately such a film dynamic has to be handled exactly right to work, and regrettably that just doesn't seem to happen in this movie.

The dialogue, characters, and situations never seem to come together in the way Braff was trying for - although at times it comes tantalizingly close. While the film is filled with plenty of good characters, there's never a pay-off with any of them. There are very few interesting things for them to say or do, the situations, dialogue and motivations are not very relatable, and the characters, while occasionally compelling, are hard to care about. Nothing anybody says ever raises any questions you want answered. And there's nothing in the movie to raise your interest or carry you along with the story or characters.

I hope Zach Braff has another really good movie left in him. Unfortunately this one isn't it.

Aidan Bloom (Zach Braff) is a flaying adult, drowning in a sea of self- doubt and confronting his father's Mandy Partinkin (Yentyl, Princess Bride) terminal illness, his bother's spectrum behavior and a life of good choices turning bad. This is Aidan's pivoting point - will he discover what it takes to get his life back on track and what does that track even mean?

Wish I Was Here absolutely and resolutely is a companion piece to Garden State, but rather than College Age, we have moved on 20 years to post-30 fast approaching 40, pre-Mid Life crisis. With touches of fantasy and doses of reality the movie tries hard to capture the struggle between fading dreams, changing a generational age, and even the Big Question itself.

No film that aims so high is ever totally successful, but Wish I Was Here is wry and chooses a light drama comedy with a touch of sentimentality to center itself nicely around the Bloom Family.

Zach Braff always writes well. He's not hugely likable on screen,though you suspect he is a very good friend to have and keep off-screen. Here, the trademark charm vs. smarm is toned down, with Braff losing some of the frenzied just love me approach of Scrubs to be a more hang dog world weary crumble that works massively in his favor. He's never going to get near to being Walter Matthau, but it makes a more interesting character. Kate Hudson steals every scene she is in, putting in a very fine performance as a more than understanding wife and mother.

Written with his brother, Adam, the script has zing in places - it is heavy-handed and obvious a little to much, but then it's a Braff piece so par for the course, but when its not just hammering the message home there are moments of real tenderness and some genuine smarts laughs.

All in all, a smart, funny film, and one that successfully breaks the norms of Hollywood, it was partially funded by Kickstarter, and whether flack or funds, that is no bad move.

If romantic comedies or drama comedy are your thing you should absolutely enjoy it.

This movie takes place around a father dying of cancer, which in some ways causes Zach Braff's role as his son (Aidan Bloom) to question many inner deep matters related to spirituality and the purpose of life itself.

Zach Braff's performance is very much like his previous performances; always keeping his unusual sense of humor, while however dealing with a serious life-changing moment. Joey King's performance was my favorite, showing a genuine gracefulness and Mandy Patinkin, as usual, was able to carry out an excellent performance.

I loved the connection held between Aidan and his children, which was strong and admirable. His role as a father may not be one of an economical provider; it rather centers itself in an emotional connection and at the same time, a hidden empathy shared unconditionally.

The script is very well elaborated. I Wish I Was Here is about a sad-tragical event, circled around light-hearted comedy. The film runs smoothly, and its mood is light and optimistic, considering how emotional and sad can be the loss of a loved one.

My favorite quote of the movie, as well as comforting and a great advice when losing a loved one: "Nothing in life will call upon us to be more courageous than facing the fact that it ends. But on the other side of heartbreak is wisdom".

I for for one really enjoyed this movie. I saw it at a screening in Toronto. If you were a fan of Garden State you will love this movie.

The cast was superb! Especially Joey King (Grace) and Mandy Patinkin (Gabe). They literally stole the movie. There was not a single bad actor in the movie. Small cameos by James Avery and Donald Faison added great comic relief. After the movie we had a Q&A with Zach Braff and he informed us that this was James Avery's last role on film and left us all with hilarious little improv line. It was very funny.

I highly recommend this movie for anyone who is a Zach Braff fan and wants to go out for a movie that is an emotional roller coaster with great visuals, solid acting and of course the great comedy of Zach Braff.

The movie had great comedy and very real story line.

A+++++

When I saw a trailer for Wish I was Here on a DVD my husband and I watched last week I knew I wanted to see it. On our trip back to the library I was delighted to find Wish I we Here on their DVD shelves. I enjoyed the film tremendously.

I grew up in Miami in a large Jewish community in the 1970s and 1980s. The story of the Bloom family- Aidan, Noah and their father- brought back a lot of memories for me. When they turned the pages of the family photo album I had to click pause on one picture, because it looked just like the pictures of my family at weddings and social events. Same colors, same hairdos, same fashions. The palm trees of LA reminded me of South Florida too.

My relatives and the people I knew in school are not religious and feel like Aidan when it comes to religion: skeptical. I enjoyed the scenes of the religious school and the scenes with the rabbis.

I appreciated that while Aidan didn't agree with his father about sending his children to a yeshiva the movie didn't criticize Grace's beliefs, the school, and the rabbis. I didn't mind the poking of the elderly rabbi: the sequence where he rides a segway in the hospital and crashes into a wall was hilarious. I'm glad that the movie didn't show Noah and Aidan rejecting their religious background in favour of being completely secular. Wish I Was Here could have just shown Aidan telling his children to forget about the yeshiva and religion and embrace "normal" contemporary life. I appreciated that Aidan found guidance from the younger rabbi, and Grace found ways to carry on her beliefs while adapting to their new lives after Aidan's father passed away. The pink wig was a nice symbol of her growing more confidence and openness to new experiences while maintaining her values: she was wearing a wig like a religious married woman, but it was bright pink.

I'm a big fan of comics and I've been to the San Diego comic con a few times. It was great to see the convention in the movie and see the cosplayers walking outside the center and around the rooms, taking pleasure in showing off their costumes. Noah's space man costume was terrific. I saw a lot of amazing costumes at San Diego- I would have loved to see more cosplayers, especially the Star Wars costumes and the people dressing up as superheroes and supervillians.

It's wonderful to see movies being made now that celebrate fan culture like the cosplayers and Comic Con. It's a pleasure to see a movie that presents growing up in a Jewish family, and explores aspects of Jewish identity, how adults and parents like Aidan and Noah feel about their heritage, and passing on values to their children.

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.

I thought this was a well done feelings type of movie. The overuse of the f-word and some sexual stuff was a jarring element and not necessary. I never understand why so many movie producers feel they have to include that kind of stuff. All the acting was very high caliber. Joey King as the daughter, Grace was a real stand out. Kate Hudson was enjoyable. The kid who plays the son is also the same kid who played the robot kid in Halle Berry's new TV show, Extant. Expect to see him more. He is very good. The film was shot very nicely and pretty to watch. Also the soundtrack is a winner. It was like a well done TV movie about family. I liked the subject matter and this cast elevated the script.

This film, anticipated as a "sequel" to Garden State(it's not at all, stop calling it that) only shares some similar elements to it's predecessor yet doesn't really maintain any of the charm.

On a technical level, it's really well put together and amazing for being a Kickstarter project.

The biggest issue with this film is that they simply did not put enough effort into actually writing something that was coherent nor providing any artistic merit.

It's all style and virtually no substance which causes it to eventually lag throughout, what seemed to be, the second act. This style easily worked with Garden State given that it was a film about feeling aimless in life, however it doesn't work the second time around. There seems to be a lot of story lines that don't really go anywhere or provide anything to the main plot and the fantasy sequences serve NO purpose whatsoever. It's a lot like an artificial sweetener in that it tastes good at the beginning but ends up leaving a weird taste in your mouth.