Wish I Was Here (2014)

A struggling actor, father and husband finds himself at a major crossroads, which forces him to examine his life, his family and his career.

Director:

Zach Braff

Writers:

Adam J. Braff, Zach Braff

Stars:

Zach Braff, Joey King, Pierce Gagnon

6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Zach Braff	...	Aidan Bloom
Pierce Gagnon	...	Tucker Bloom
Kate Hudson	...	Sarah Bloom
Joey King	...	Grace Bloom
Alexander Chaplin	...	Rabbi Rosenberg
Leslie David Baker	...	Audition Actor #1
James Avery	...	Audition Actor #2
Ato Essandoh	...	Audition Actor #3
Jim Parsons	...	Paul
Mark Thudium	...	Terry
Mandy Patinkin	...	Gabe
Josh Gad	...	Noah Bloom
Allan Rich	...	Rabbi Twersky
Ashley Greene	...	Janine
Michael Weston	...	Jerry

Storyline

'Wish I Was Here' is the story of Aidan Bloom, a struggling actor, father and husband, who at 35 is still trying to find his identity; a purpose for his life. He winds up trying to home school his two children when his father can no longer afford to pay for private education and the only available public school is on its last legs. Through teaching them about life his way, Aidan gradually discovers some of the parts of himself he couldn't find.

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Plot Keywords:

dream sequence | crowdfunded | struggling actor | actor | money problems | 

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Taglines:

Life is an occasion. Rise to it.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some sexual content

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 July 2014 (USA)

Also Known As:

Bárcsak itt lennék

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$6,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$484,401, 20 July 2014, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$3,588,432, 7 September 2014

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$5,483,299, 12 October 2014

Company Credits

Production Co:

Worldview Entertainment, Double Feature Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Many of the actors in this movie are, like Zach Braff, best known for starring in a sitcom. Alexander Chaplin (Rabbi Rosenberg) played James on Spin City for four seasons; James Avery (Audition Actor #2) played "Uncle Phil" Banks on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air; Jim Parsons (Paul), who had one of his first film roles in Braff's Garden State, became famous for playing Sheldon Cooper in The Big Bang Theory; and Donald Faison (Anthony) was Braff's costar on Scrubs.

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Goofs

When the rabbi gives Aidan funeral information, the pamphlet includes information on cremation and open caskets. An Orthodox Jewish burial would never offer these services.

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Quotes

Grace Bloom: If I die, I'm going to be so pissed at you.
Aidan Bloom: We have a deal.

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Connections

References Maury (1991)

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Soundtracks

Cherry Wine (Live)
Written by Andrew Hozier Byrne
Performed by Hozier
Courtesy of Rubyworks / Columbia Records By Arrangement with Sony Music Licensing

User Reviews

A Coming of Late Age Story

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.