WISHFUL THINKING is one of those wonderful, off-beat and so
over-looked little films that, when finally discovered, delivers a
really good watch.
Told in four parts, each one not so much the point-of-view of a
certain character, more the focus on that person, this lightly- complicated little comic-romance unfolds beautifully. Max (James
LeGros) is an imaginative character; he invents ginger-flavoured
toothpicks and hears inanimate objects talking to him, but also
has a dangerous distrust of his girlfriend, Elizabeth (Jennifer
Beals), who may or may not have given him good reason for his
growing suspicions, since he's made it apparent that he doesn't
seem to want to 'cement' their relationship with a proposal. Lena
(Drew Barrymore), is his colourful yet conniving co-worker,
somewhat enamoured of Max, and with a penchant for seeking
advice from a local tarot card reader. Max (Jon Stewart) is the
friend-of-a -friend who will somehow non-maliciously intertwine
himself into the lives of this great little set of quirky characters.
Richly told and visualized (very nice colour and B&W cinematography and some interesting shots), nice pacing, and
with a compelling enough plot to garner my interest the whole way
through. The film isn't a "laugh riot" by any means, and as far as
romance goes, I wouldn't want mine to unfold like those described
here, but it was still enough to keep me chuckling and hoping for
the best for all the characters. The most truly delicious element of
this film is in the acting though, to be sure. James LeGros (who I
was completely unfamiliar with) is both engaging and realistic,
someone I'll look for in other films. Drew Barrymore is nicely
subdued, despite the mess her character could have been (and
what I'd expected from her based on previous work). Jon Stewart
is good as always, turning in both ample laughs and a serious
side he deserves acknowledgement for. But the stand-out
performance comes from the hugely under-appreciated Jennifer
Beals; I don't want to say she steals this picture, because she has
the professionalism to keep her portrayal on par with the rest of
the cast, but she definitely gives the most even, realistic and
honest performance in the film; her every word and gesture is a gift
of honesty in character.
It seems sad to me that (at the time of this writing) director Adam
Park has not made another film, or that the film does not seem to
be too well liked. It truly is a nice piece, and a understated use of
some real talent. 7/10. Just good stuff!
over-looked little films that, when finally discovered, delivers a
really good watch.
Told in four parts, each one not so much the point-of-view of a
certain character, more the focus on that person, this lightly- complicated little comic-romance unfolds beautifully. Max (James
LeGros) is an imaginative character; he invents ginger-flavoured
toothpicks and hears inanimate objects talking to him, but also
has a dangerous distrust of his girlfriend, Elizabeth (Jennifer
Beals), who may or may not have given him good reason for his
growing suspicions, since he's made it apparent that he doesn't
seem to want to 'cement' their relationship with a proposal. Lena
(Drew Barrymore), is his colourful yet conniving co-worker,
somewhat enamoured of Max, and with a penchant for seeking
advice from a local tarot card reader. Max (Jon Stewart) is the
friend-of-a -friend who will somehow non-maliciously intertwine
himself into the lives of this great little set of quirky characters.
Richly told and visualized (very nice colour and B&W cinematography and some interesting shots), nice pacing, and
with a compelling enough plot to garner my interest the whole way
through. The film isn't a "laugh riot" by any means, and as far as
romance goes, I wouldn't want mine to unfold like those described
here, but it was still enough to keep me chuckling and hoping for
the best for all the characters. The most truly delicious element of
this film is in the acting though, to be sure. James LeGros (who I
was completely unfamiliar with) is both engaging and realistic,
someone I'll look for in other films. Drew Barrymore is nicely
subdued, despite the mess her character could have been (and
what I'd expected from her based on previous work). Jon Stewart
is good as always, turning in both ample laughs and a serious
side he deserves acknowledgement for. But the stand-out
performance comes from the hugely under-appreciated Jennifer
Beals; I don't want to say she steals this picture, because she has
the professionalism to keep her portrayal on par with the rest of
the cast, but she definitely gives the most even, realistic and
honest performance in the film; her every word and gesture is a gift
of honesty in character.
It seems sad to me that (at the time of this writing) director Adam
Park has not made another film, or that the film does not seem to
be too well liked. It truly is a nice piece, and a understated use of
some real talent. 7/10. Just good stuff!