The 35-year-old family man Aidan Bloom (Zach Braff) is a struggling actor with two kids who can’t find a job and can't let go of his dreams. His wife Sarah (Kate Hudson) is the breadwinner in the family with her full-time job at the L.A. Water Department. And Aidan’s father Gabe (Mandy Patinkin) finances the expensive tuition for his grandkids to attend a private Jewish school. The Bloom family is at the center of WISH I WAS HERE, the second film by actor and director Zach Braff, best known for his role as Dr. John Dorian in the TV series “Scrubs.” The film opens with a cheerful discussion at the breakfast table about swear words. But this refreshing opener also hints at the family’s everyday challenges and money worries. The family members soon finds themselves at a crossroads. Aidan’s father is diagnosed with terminal cancer. Gabe needs more money for his cancer treatments so the kids are pulled out of their expensive school. Aidan has his doubts about the public school system so begins a disastrous course of home schooling. Against the backdrop of sun-soaked LA, the film touches on the themes of lost sons and fathers, defeats, big dreams, deep-seated fears, and family. The likeness to GARDEN STATE is unmistakable. Braff in WISH I WERE HERE could be his GARDEN STATE character 10 years later. And of course there is the beautiful melancholic indie soundtrack. Artist friends such as Bon Iver, Paul Simon or Chris Martin from Coldplay wrote the songs for the film. Despite its good lines and excellent acting, the plot of WISH I WAS HERE is at times predictable. It’s a heartfelt film about a character pushed to reevaluate his life and family. Braff financed the film with an extremely successful Kickstarter campaign that brought in over 3 million dollars, which allowed Braff complete artistic freedom.

Eileen Reukauf