Review of Wish I Was Here (2014) by Manny C — 01 Aug 2014

So fans gave Zach Braff a bunch of money thru Kickstarter so that he can basically remake Garden State? Both are directed by Braff and star Braff as a struggling actor dealing with father issues, whether with his father or as a father, and feature nifty indie rock originals.

Except none of it is anywhere near as interesting as his hit film from a decade ago. Braff's Aiden is a husband to a very driven wife (Kate Hudson, acting quite nicely for a change) and father of two dealing with a cancer-stricken father (Mandy Patinkin, great as always) and a distant brother (Josh Gad).

Braff co-wrote the film with his own brothers and is clearly in tune with the material but it's stymied by his embrace of shmaltzy cliches. Maybe we'll get a follow-up in another ten years. Can't say I'm excited this time around.