New Release Review: I Wish

Written and directed by Hirokazu Koreeda, I Wish is a tiny gem of a film that tells a poignant and touching tale, stirs emotions and leaves a bigger impact than you would expect. Blessed with Koreeda’s sensitive direction and eye for detail, and remarkably spirited performances from the young cast, I Wish is a heartfelt and intimate study of common Japanese life and the coming-of-age of two siblings who live hundreds of kilometers apart with their respective divorced parents, who dream of being re-united. Despite the sugary sweet premise, one can’t help but surrender to the charms.

12-year-old Koichi (Koukii Maeda), who lives with his mother and retired grandparents in Kagoshima, is struggling to accept the separation from his father, a washed up musician, and younger brother, Ryunosuke (Oushiro Maeda), who live in Fukuoka. After hearing a rumour claiming that witnessing the cross over of the new bullet trains that unite their respective towns will result in a miracle occurring, Koichi believes that locating this spot, journeying there, and wishing for the reunion of his parents as the trains cross, will result in his dreams coming true. He discusses this potential miracle with his friends, and Ryu with his own, and after meeting up – with the help of some caring and sympathetic adult figures in their lives – they embark on a life-changing journey that requires them to embrace hope and asks of them courage and maturity.

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