The latest film from acclaimed Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda (Still Walking) tells the story of two young brothers who are separated when their parents divorce and who attempt to bring their family together again. While its prosaic subject matter might sound far from must-view material, I Wish is absolutely a film to savour, one whose considerable folksy charm, humour and authentic spirit will take you hurtling back to your own childhood adventures.
12-year-old Koichi (Koki Maeda) lives in Kagoshima with his mother (Nene Ohtsuka) and grandparents, under the threat of an active volcano. His little brother Ryu (Koki's real-life brother Ohshirô Maeda) resides with their musician father (Jô Odagiri) in Fukuoka. Whereas Ryu just gets on with his life, Koichi longs for his family to be reunited, and when he's informed by a classmate that the energy generated by passing trains has the capacity to grant wishes he plans a group road trip to the spot where two bullet trains pass so that his wish may come true.
In a film that's a consistent pleasure, the interactions between generations are a particular treat. Little Ryu is effectively a parent to his indolent father; Koichi and his grandfather (played by Isao Hashizume) conspire delightfully on a couple of schemes; and the children's adventure is marked by an encounter with kind elderly strangers who choose to believe that one of the group is their grandchild and are consequently thrilled to put the kids up.
Kore-eda's film flits between Koichi's concerned optimism, his growing consciousness of the realities of life and Ryu's cheerful hedonism, even when things are far from ideal. Furthermore, it illustrates that all the adults - whether it's in their drunken antics or with their unrealistic dreams - are at heart rather childish, that it's something that never truly leaves you. The kids (often improvising) are wonderfully natural, with the sibling dynamic enhanced by the real brotherly bond. Despite centring on the fall-out from a divorce, I Wish gives maudlin sentiment and bitterness a wide berth. Instead it's a film that's naturally sweet, teeming with sincerity and buoyed by a belief in miracles.
Watch the trailer for I Wish
