Wish You Well

Not to be Missed – Superb Acting, Deeply Touching, . . .If you have lived awake to Life at all . . .
We wrote the following comment to a review which, giving only 1 star to Wish You Well, described it as “saccharine”:Watch this movie, and then you will see why we found this review not helpful at all. It is a well-written review, but the view-point we find pointedly cynical and sadly out of tune. Stories appeal to some, not to others, that’s a given. In Wish You Well, we did not find fault with the story, but, even if we had, we would have to concede that the quality of the acting alone is enough to compel a strong, favorable recommendation. The human values so sincerely conveyed through deeply committed performances, as well as the sheer beauty of the setting, is reward enough to render a rare viewing experience.Also remarkable: the uncommonly sensitive and respectful portrayal of the children in their individual journeys through love and loss, as they evolve in their relationship to Life itself, were surprisingly, and seamlessly, well-integrated with those of the adults, to the credit of the writing and the directing. The casting was pitch-perfect, the achievements of the young actors, equal to the adults, were quietly astounding.Also worth noting, we find it interesting that this reviewer was put off by what they referred to as stereotypes and unrealistic plot – yet here in the various reviews, natives to that area of the country, familiar with the ongoing struggles in the battle of industrial opportunists vs. local landowners and small farmers found the film spot on.’Course the art of storytelling – that has traditionally, for most of history, flourished unhindered by the strident demand for realism so common to the “post-modern” age we live in – is not universally embraced by filmgoers today. Sad loss it seems to us. But each to his own.We join the many who easily gave this film 5 stars. This is a beautiful film which, in our view, is not to be missed!

The usual suspects…but it was nicely done.
This followed a formula for success, particularly like the film “Places In The Heart”. There’s a lone widow taking care of a cotton farm in that one, played by Sally Field, and the bank wants her property. All star cast in that one. And in this one as well, Ellyn Burnstyn, as always, delivers a great performance. She’s great at intense, especially when holding a gun. However, the director suffered some miscues throughout by not being able to get the best performances from everyone else. It was a big stagy, a Hallmark vibe. And yes, predictable.Best things about the film were scenery and cinematography, good lighting and great looking scenes on all the actors…and that’s difficult in natural settings, so kudos there. The camera really likes Mackenzie Foy, and her opposite, the son of the necessary evil dude Mr. Davis, Billy Davis played by Antoinio Ducrot.

beautiful scenery
good entertainment

humanity at its best triumphs it at its worst
humanity at its best triumphs it at its worst

Excellent movie based on book by one of our favorite authors.

Good family movie.