Wish I Was Here

Writer, director, producer and actor Zach Braff's comedic "Wish I Was Here" wistfully examines the need to grow up and face responsibility in the face of a parent's terminal illness.

Braff's character, Aidan Bloom, daydreams about his childhood fantasy playing a super hero out to save the world, only to be brought back to stark reality of his life as a husband, father and struggling actor. His wife, Sarah, (Kate Hudson) supports the family, and is occasionally miffed and resentful about her role as main provider. When Aidan's father, Gabe, (Mandy Patinkin) announces that he can no longer pay for the children's schooling because he needs the money for an experimental treatment for his terminal cancer, this jolts Aidan into becoming a responsible adult. In Aidan's fractured journey toward adulthood, he valiantly drags along his loser brother, Noah, (Josh Gad), who blames their father for all his misfortunes.

Ultimately it is Sarah who plays the mature matriarch foil to these overgrown man-child siblings, culminating in a poignant deathbed scene with Gabe. Kate Hudson's strong performance as Sarah is supported by the talented young Joey King in her role as Grace, Aidan and Sarah's daughter.

The film is heartfelt, filled with Jewish jokes, ironic wit and tenderness, but ultimately loses to a clich�d plot and complacent ending. Adulthood becomes settling -- abandoning dreams of stardom and superhero for drama coach.

The Blu-Ray/DVD/Digital HD pack adds exclusive extras such as deleted scenes, outtakes, and commentaries which provide insights for film aficionados and neophytes alike.

"Wish I Was Here"
Blu-ray, DVD & Digital HD with Ultraviolet
$34.98
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