A Simple Wish Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A little girl gets a fairy godfather who’s basically a magical Mr. Bean, and together they accidentally turn her dad into a statue while battling a disgruntled ex-fairy who really, really needs a new hobby.

🍿 A Simple Wish: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introducing Anabel and Oliver

Anabel Greening, a young girl, deeply believes in magic and wants nothing more than for her father, Oliver, a horse-drawn carriage driver, to achieve his dream of starring in a Broadway musical. Oliver faces constant rejection, and Anabel’s wish for a fairy godmother sets the story in motion. The family dynamic is heartwarming, showcasing their support for each other.

The Arrival of Murray, the Inept Fairy Godfather

Murray, an inexperienced and somewhat clumsy fairy godfather, arrives to grant Anabel’s wish. His lack of skill and magical mishaps lead to a series of comedic events. He struggles to control his powers, resulting in hilarious chaos as he attempts to fulfill Anabel’s simple wish.

Claudia’s Evil Plot

Meanwhile, Claudia, a former fairy godmother turned evil witch, plots to steal all the fairy godmothers’ wands at the North American Fairy Godmothers Association (NAFGA) meeting. Her goal is to obtain ultimate power, and she sees Murray’s wand as the key to her success. This sets up a conflict between good and evil, with Anabel and Murray caught in the middle.

The Statue Incident and the Race Against Time

One of Murray’s mishaps results in Oliver being turned into a statue, adding urgency to Anabel’s quest. With the help of her brother Charlie, they must find a way to reverse the spell before midnight. The incident raises the stakes and drives the plot forward as they race against time.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Murray (Martin Short): A bumbling and inexperienced fairy godfather who struggles to grant Anabel’s wish.
• Anabel (Mara Wilson): An eight-year-old girl who wishes for her father to get a Broadway role and seeks the help of a fairy godfather.
• Oliver (Robert Pastorelli): Anabel’s father, a horse-drawn carriage driver who dreams of becoming a Broadway star.
• Claudia (Kathleen Turner): An evil ex-fairy godmother who seeks to steal all the fairy godmothers’ magic wands.
• Charlie (Francis Capra): Anabel’s older brother who initially disbelieves in magic but ultimately helps save the day.
• Boots (Amanda Plummer): Claudia’s terrier turned into a human lackey, assisting in her evil plans.
• Hortense (Ruby Dee): The head of the North American Fairy Godmothers Association (NAFGA) who gets caught up in Claudia’s evil plot.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Murray: “One wish per customer and no wishes for more wishes. They plugged that loophole up years ago. In past years there were abuses.” – Murray explains the basic rules of wishing when he first meets Anabel.
• Claudia: “Wands are power, Boots! And power is the only thing that matters!” – Claudia reveals her ambition and lust for control.
• Murray: “Don’t tell her where the wand is! Think of Br’er Rabbit!” – Murray uses reverse psychology to try and outsmart the evil witch.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $28,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $8,345,056
• Worldwide Gross: $8,345,056

💥 A Simple Wish Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching this as a kid and loving it! Martin Short was so goofy and funny, and I thought Mara Wilson was the cutest. The scene where Tony Sable starts spitting out frogs was hilarious! Rewatching it now, it’s definitely a bit cheesy, but it still brings back fond memories. It’s a feel-good movie that makes you believe in a little bit of magic. It may not be perfect, but it’s perfect to me.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Families”
  • “Fans of fantasy comedies”
  • “Those who enjoy slapstick humor”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Some mild peril and fantasy violence”

Professional Reviews

• Common Sense Media: “While the special effects are a bit dated, the charm of Martin Short and Mara Wilson shines through. It’s a lighthearted family film with a simple message about believing in your dreams. Some of the humor might be lost on younger viewers, but overall, it’s a decent choice for a family movie night.
• The New York Times: “A Simple Wish attempts to recapture the magic of classic fairy tales, but it falls short. Martin Short’s over-the-top performance is grating, and the plot is convoluted. Kathleen Turner, however, brings a deliciously wicked presence to the role of the villainous witch.
• Variety: “A fairly predictable children’s movie that tries to capitalize on the success of ‘Matilda’ with Mara Wilson, but fails to deliver the same level of charm. Martin Short is manic, Kathleen Turner is menacing, but the story feels rehashed and the special effects are underwhelming.

Audience Reactions

Kathleen Turner’s performance as the evil witch was iconic!: The movie brings a sense of nostalgia, with the magic and humor appealing to both kids and adults.

Martin Short’s comedic timing saved a potentially dull script.: The light-hearted family friendly theme, made the movie great for all ages.

Overall Consensus: A Simple Wish is a lighthearted family film that may not appeal to everyone, but it offers a nostalgic and enjoyable experience for those who appreciate its whimsical charm and humor.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Mara Wilson has stated in interviews that she has very little memory of filming ‘A Simple Wish’ due to personal difficulties she was experiencing at the time. She has expressed some regret over her behavior on set.”
• “The musical numbers featured in the film, supposedly from the Broadway adaptation of ‘A Tale of Two Cities,’ were written specifically for the movie by Lucy Simon and director Michael Ritchie.”
• “The role of Claudia the witch was initially offered to several other actresses before Kathleen Turner accepted it.”

🖥️ How to Watch A Simple Wish?

As of October 2024, ‘A Simple Wish’ is available for rent or purchase on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for streaming availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed A Simple Wish, you might like these similar films:

• Matilda (1996): Features a child protagonist with special abilities and a battle against a comically evil adult figure.
• The Santa Clause (1994): Shares a similar theme of embracing the magical and absurd, and features a male character taking on a traditionally fantastical role.
• Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971): An earlier family film involving magic, witches, and a journey to defeat evil during a specific time-sensitive quest.
• Enchanted (2007): A modern fairytale that playfully deconstructs genre tropes while celebrating the magic in everyday life.

🛒 A Simple Wish Related Products

• A Simple Wish (DVD): Relive the magic of this family classic with the DVD edition. Perfect for a nostalgic movie night with the kids, featuring all the memorable scenes and characters from the film.
• Mara Wilson Collection (Digital Download): A collection of movies starring Mara Wilson, including A Simple Wish, Matilda, and Miracle on 34th Street. Experience the charm and talent of this beloved child actress in these heartwarming family films.
• Fairy Wand – Light Up Princess Wand for Girls: Spark your child’s imagination with this enchanting light-up fairy wand. Inspired by the magic of A Simple Wish, this wand is perfect for creating your own magical adventures and granting wishes.
• Kathleen Turner Signed Photo – A Simple Wish Autograph: Own a piece of movie history with this autographed photo of Kathleen Turner as the villainous Claudia in A Simple Wish. This collector’s item is a must-have for fans of the film and Turner’s iconic performance.

🎧 Soundtrack

A Simple Wish features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “A Far, Far Better Thing” – performed by Peter Samuels

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Mara Wilson VS. The Nostalgia Critic

Ever wonder what happens when a child star confronts their harshest critic? Watch Mara Wilson hilariously get her revenge on the Nostalgia Critic for his ‘A Simple Wish’ review – it’s surprisingly awesome!

Nostalgia Critic: Mara Wilson’s Revenge

You HAVE to see this! Mara Wilson totally roasts the Nostalgia Critic by showing his awkward childhood videos in response to his review of ‘A Simple Wish’. It’s pure comedic gold!

✨ Rate