Taglines: Life is an occasion. Rise to it.
Wish I Was Here is an American comedy-drama film directed by Zach Braff and co-written with his brother Adam Braff. The film stars Zach Braff, Josh Gad, Ashley Greene, Kate Hudson, Joey King and Mandy Patinkin. The film had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 18, 2014 and was given a limited release on July 18, 2014 by Focus Features. Principal photography took 25 days, beginning on August 5, 2013 in Los Angeles and ending on September 6, 2013.
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.
About the Story
Aidan Bloom (Zach Braff) is a 35-year-old father of two struggling to be an actor in L.A. while his wife, Sarah (Kate Hudson) works a tedious data job. In order to send their kids, Tucker (Pierce Gagnon) and Grace (Joey King) to a good school, they rely on help from Aidan’s father, Gabe (Mandy Patinkin), who insisted they go to an Orthodox Jewish day school.
When Gabe reveals his cancer has come back, he tells Aidan that he’s decided to put the rest of his money into a new stem cell treatment, meaning his grandkids can no longer afford to attend their school. After the school refuses to provide any aid to the Blooms because Aidan’s career is his “choice” and other families have greater needs, Sarah suggests that Aidan homeschool his kids, and their adventure of self-discovery begins. Through teaching them about life his way, Aidan gradually discovers some of the parts of himself he couldn’t find.
His brother Noah (Josh Gad) is a selfish shut in who can only be bribed to babysit for his brother and refuses to see his dying father due to resentment of Gabe criticizing him throughout Noah’s life. He meets his neighbour Janine (Ashley Greene) who is a furry costume maker which gives him the idea to impress her by making a costume for Comic-Con.
Wish I Was Here
Directed by: Zach Braff
Starring: Zach Braff, Kate Hudson, Joey King, Pierce Gagnon, Alexander Chaplin, Leslie David Baker, Mandy Patinkin, Ashley Greene, Michael Weston
Screenplay by: Adam J. Braff, Zach Braff
Production Design by: Tony Fanning
Cinematography by: Lawrence Sher
Film Edited by: Myron I. Kerstein
Costume Design by: Betsy Heimann
Set Decoration by: Beth Wooke
Music by: Rob Simonsen
MPAA Rating: R for language and some sexual content.
Studio: Focus Features
Release Date: July 18th, 2014
Visits: 63
