Wish I Was Here Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A struggling actor’s dad gets cancer, so he tries to homeschool his kids while still chasing his dreams, which involves mild space knight fantasies and confronting office jerks, all while learning that family is, like, *really* important, man.

🍿 Wish I Was Here: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Aidan’s Struggles and Family Life

Aidan Bloom, a struggling actor in Los Angeles, is trying to balance his aspirations with the responsibilities of being a husband and father. His wife, Sarah, works a monotonous job to support the family, while Aidan juggles auditions and taking care of their two children, Grace and Tucker. The family relies heavily on Aidan’s father, Gabe, to pay for their children’s private Orthodox Jewish school.

Financial Crisis and Homeschooling

The family’s financial stability is threatened when Gabe reveals that his cancer has returned and he can no longer afford to pay for the children’s tuition. Faced with limited options, Aidan and Sarah decide to homeschool their children. This leads to unconventional teaching methods and a journey of self-discovery for Aidan as he tries to connect with his kids and find purpose in his life.

Family Dynamics and Personal Growth

As Aidan embraces homeschooling, he attempts to impart life lessons to his children, often in whimsical and unconventional ways. Meanwhile, Sarah faces harassment at work, and Aidan’s estranged brother, Noah, struggles with his own personal demons and reluctance to confront their dying father. The family confronts issues of faith, identity, and the importance of connection.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Aidan Bloom (Zach Braff): A struggling actor and father who is forced to homeschool his children and re-evaluate his life.
• Sarah Bloom (Kate Hudson): Aidan’s supportive but increasingly stressed wife who works a tedious job to support the family.
• Gabe (Mandy Patinkin): Aidan’s father, who is dealing with cancer and has a strained relationship with his sons.
• Noah Bloom (Josh Gad): Aidan’s estranged brother who is a recluse and struggles with connecting to his family.
• Grace Bloom (Joey King): Aidan’s daughter who is dealing with religious questioning and her identity.
• Tucker Bloom (Pierce Gagnon): Aidan’s son who is learning about life through his father’s unconventional homeschooling methods.
• Jerry (Michael Weston): Sarah’s harassing coworker who creates an uncomfortable work environment and acts as a minor antagonist.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Sarah Bloom: “You said, “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.”” – Sarah reminds Gabe of something he said after the loss of her sister, a quote that emphasizes the importance of courage in the face of death.
• Aidan Bloom: “I’m not saying that I’m gonna be perfect at the job, but I’m gonna try.” – Aidan vows to try his best when he agrees to homeschool his children.
• Gabe: “Life is an occasion. Rise to it.” – Gabe tells his son this meaningful quote during a challenging conversation in the hospital.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $6,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $3,591,299
• Worldwide Gross: $5,670,776

💥 Wish I Was Here Reviews

Personal Review

I really enjoyed ‘Wish I Was Here’. The family dynamic felt so real, and I think a lot of people can relate to Aidan’s struggle with figuring out life while also trying to be a good parent and spouse. There were definitely parts that made me laugh, and others that got me right in the feels, especially anything involving Mandy Patinkin. I was really moved by the film’s focus on family connection and really made me appreciate my own family.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Zach Braff’s previous work (Garden State, Scrubs)”
  • “Viewers who enjoy dramedies with themes of family, identity, and life’s challenges”
  • “Adults interested in stories about mid-life crises and finding purpose”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mature themes (cancer, financial struggles, marital issues)”
  • “Some strong language”
  • “Brief scenes of sexual harassment”
  • “Suggestive content”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “While emotionally resonant in parts, Wish I Was Here relies too heavily on indie clichés, ultimately proving less profound than it aspires to be. While Braff brings genuine heart to the film, the experience falters due to a lack of focus.
• Variety: “Zach Braff’s Wish I Was Here has moments of genuine warmth and humor but never quite transcends its familiar indie-dramedy trappings. The performances are solid, but the script struggles to balance its various thematic threads.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “Wish I Was Here is undeniably a personal film for Zach Braff, but its self-indulgence sometimes overshadows its heartfelt intentions. Mandy Patinkin’s performance adds emotional depth, but the overall impact is somewhat uneven.

Audience Reactions

Mandy Patinkin’s performance was incredible and heartbreaking.: Viewers appreciated the film’s emotional depth and relatable characters.

The soundtrack perfectly complements the film’s mood and themes.: The music was cited as a major highlight and added to the overall viewing experience.

Some found some characters to be unsympathetic and poorly written.: Some thought the humour did not land and had weak story lines.

Overall Consensus: While ‘Wish I Was Here’ resonated with many viewers due to its heartfelt performances and relatable themes, others found it to be somewhat cliché-ridden and uneven in its execution.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film was partially funded through a Kickstarter campaign, which raised over $3 million from nearly 47,000 backers.”
• “This was James Avery’s final film role. He is best known for playing Uncle Phil in ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’.”
• “Zach Braff co-wrote the screenplay with his brother, Adam J. Braff.”

🖥️ How to Watch Wish I Was Here?

Wish I Was Here is available to rent or purchase on various platforms. You can find it on Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Wish I Was Here, you might like these similar films:

• Garden State (2004): Also written and directed by Zach Braff, it explores themes of identity, family, and finding meaning in life.
• Begin Again (2013): Features characters at crossroads pursuing creative dreams while navigating personal relationships.
• Little Miss Sunshine (2006): Deals with a dysfunctional family coming together on a road trip to support a child’s dream.
• Captain Fantastic (2016): Explores themes of alternative education and unconventional family life after the mother dies, leading to a journey to reconnect with the world.

🛒 Wish I Was Here Related Products

• Garden State (Special Edition) [Blu-ray]: Rediscover Zach Braff’s directorial debut, ‘Garden State,’ a cult classic that shares similar themes of self-discovery and finding your place in the world. A perfect companion piece for fans of ‘Wish I Was Here’.
• LEGO Death Star: Build your own LEGO Death Star, as seen as a bargaining chip with Aidan’s brother Noah, this meticulously detailed set provides hours of building fun and a fantastic display piece for any Star Wars enthusiast.
• The Shins – Oh, Inverted World [Vinyl]: Own a piece of indie music history with The Shins’ classic album, ‘Oh, Inverted World.’ The perfect addition to any vinyl collection and a great way to enjoy the music that sets the tone for ‘Wish I Was Here’.
• Scrubs: The Complete Series: Relive the iconic TV show that launched Zach Braff’s career. This complete series collection offers hours of comedy and heartfelt moments, showcasing Braff’s signature wit and charm.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “The High Road” – performed by Radical Face
• “Simple Song” – performed by The Shins
• “Holocene” – performed by Bon Iver
• “Raven’s Song” – performed by Aaron Embry

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

WISH I WAS HERE Kickstarter Video by Zach Braff [Official Version]

Ever wondered how movies like ‘Wish I Was Here’ actually get made? Check out Zach Braff’s original Kickstarter video – it’s a fascinating look at how passion projects come to life, and honestly, it makes you appreciate the final product even more!

‘Wish I Was Here’ and ‘Hercules’ | On Cinema Season 5, Episode 4 | Adult Swim

Want a laugh? This ‘On Cinema’ segment hilariously reviews ‘Wish I Was Here’ (along with ‘Hercules’, surprisingly!). It’s super funny, and their quirky takes on the movie are surprisingly insightful. You’ve gotta see it!

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