Review of Wish You Were Here (2012) by Doug Z — 16 Jun 2013

The oddly titled Wish You Were Here has all the makings of a great mystery, but the film ultimately falls flat by the time it reaches its underwhelming conclusion. The fractured narrative feels artificial at times, as revelations aren't motivated by the events of the plot but rather the necessity to move things forwards eventually. The emphasis on family melodrama feels misplaced, too, as the main storyline gets put on the back burner for lengths of time.

If you're willing to endure it's shortcomings, though, there are some well-executed twists and turns, especially in scenes with Felicity Price. Price, as the pregnant wife caught up in the middle of the disappearance of her sister's boyfriend, is a standout. She brings both a sense of poise and raw emotion that is quite refreshing to watch. She helps elevate the scenes of familial conflict, which are even more effective when compared to recent films such as 'What Maisie Knew.' Hopefully next time she'll have a film more worthy of her talents.