Wishful Thinking (1997)

Director:

Adam Park

Writer:

Adam Park (writer)

Release Date:

9 July 1999 (Spain)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

A story told from three angles. Max meets Elizabeth; they live together, but when she talks of marriage...

Plot Keywords:

Tarot Card | Destiny | Subway | Amusement Park | Independent Film

Cast

Drew Barrymore	...	Lena
Jennifer Beals	...	Elizabeth
Desiree Casado	...	Bonita
Mel Gorham	...	Lourdes
James LeGros	...	Max
Joe Mosso	...	Waiter
Lázaro Pérez	...	Ramon
Andy Redmond	...	Veterinarian
Frank Senger	...	Man with Cane 'Dog Beater'
Jon Stewart	...	Henry
Eric Thal	...	Jack

MPAA:

Rated R for language.

Runtime:

Spain:91 min | Argentina:93 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White | Color

Certification:

Iceland:L | Germany:6 | Spain:13 | UK:15 | USA:R | Argentina:13

Quotes:

Henry: I'm really surprised you called me.
Lena, the cashier: Well I had a really nice time with you at the party.
Henry: I did too with you, it's just, I was really sorry about spilling that wine on your dress. I could have sworn that bottle was empty.
Lena, the cashier: It was OK, I actually had a harder time getting the brie out.
Henry: Yeah, I mean you gotta admit after a couple drinks those things look a lot like a sponge.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Daily Show: (2007-03-15)" (2007)

A Quirky Little Gem

WISHFUL THINKING is one of those wonderful, off-beat and so

over-looked little films that, when finally discovered, delivers a

really good watch.



Told in four parts, each one not so much the point-of-view of a

certain character, more the focus on that person, this lightly- complicated little comic-romance unfolds beautifully. Max (James

LeGros) is an imaginative character; he invents ginger-flavoured

toothpicks and hears inanimate objects talking to him, but also

has a dangerous distrust of his girlfriend, Elizabeth (Jennifer

Beals), who may or may not have given him good reason for his

growing suspicions, since he's made it apparent that he doesn't

seem to want to 'cement' their relationship with a proposal. Lena

(Drew Barrymore), is his colourful yet conniving co-worker,

somewhat enamoured of Max, and with a penchant for seeking

advice from a local tarot card reader. Max (Jon Stewart) is the

friend-of-a -friend who will somehow non-maliciously intertwine

himself into the lives of this great little set of quirky characters.



Richly told and visualized (very nice colour and B&W cinematography and some interesting shots), nice pacing, and

with a compelling enough plot to garner my interest the whole way

through. The film isn't a "laugh riot" by any means, and as far as

romance goes, I wouldn't want mine to unfold like those described

here, but it was still enough to keep me chuckling and hoping for

the best for all the characters. The most truly delicious element of

this film is in the acting though, to be sure. James LeGros (who I

was completely unfamiliar with) is both engaging and realistic,

someone I'll look for in other films. Drew Barrymore is nicely

subdued, despite the mess her character could have been (and

what I'd expected from her based on previous work). Jon Stewart

is good as always, turning in both ample laughs and a serious

side he deserves acknowledgement for. But the stand-out

performance comes from the hugely under-appreciated Jennifer

Beals; I don't want to say she steals this picture, because she has

the professionalism to keep her portrayal on par with the rest of

the cast, but she definitely gives the most even, realistic and

honest performance in the film; her every word and gesture is a gift

of honesty in character.



It seems sad to me that (at the time of this writing) director Adam

Park has not made another film, or that the film does not seem to

be too well liked. It truly is a nice piece, and a understated use of

some real talent. 7/10. Just good stuff!