I Wish

Most films about children are overly sentimental or nostalgic, or are simply geared toward children. I Wish, a 2011 from Japan, is neither--it is for adults, primarily, and simply shows life from a child's point of view, the wonder of it all and the pain and indignity.

Directed by Hirozaku Koreeda, the story focuses on two brothers, played by real-life brothers Koehki Maeda (as Koichi) and Ohshiro Maeda (as Ryu). They live with different parents--Koichi, the more thoughtful older brother, with his mother and grandparents, the eternally cheerful Ryu with his slacker/musician father. Koichi wants nothing more to unite his family again.

A bullet train that will connect the cities is being built. Koichi hears about a phenomenon about the trains--if you stand near when they pass each other, you can make a wish and it will be granted. He and Ryu get together friends, tell white lies to their parents, and head to the city where the trains pass.

I Wish is a little too long and meandering, but the last act, when the kids go on their grand adventure, is marvelous. A subplot involves Ryu's friend, a pretty girl who wants to be an actress. Her mother, who was an actress, discourages her. She visits her grandparents, who haven't seen in some time. One boy, who's wish was to become a professional baseball player, replaces that with the wish of his dog coming back to life. Then, when the trains do pass, there is a montage of events from the film that is very moving.

There are many other plot threads, including the teacher the boys all have a crush on, and the grandfather of the boys, who runs a bakery that is in decline (all the older men hope the train gives them more business).

I Wish is touching portrait of the life of one family, and is nicely done. It's slow going in the beginning, but stick with it.