Wish You Were Here

source: Wish You Were Here

'Wish You Were Here' is the debut feature from Australian director Kieran Darcy-Smith. A group of Australians visit Cambodia for a holiday, where under mysterious circumstances only three of the original four tourists come back home. Steph (Teresa Palmer) was invited by her new boyfriend Jeremy (Antony Starr) to come with him to Cambodia where he often travels to for business. Still only a few weeks into their romance, Steph wanted to be certain of her safety so she asks her sister Alice (Felicity Price) and husband Dave (Joel Edgerton) to accompany them. Rushing backwards and forwards in time, 'Wish You Were Here' slowly pieces together the mystery surrounding Jeremy's disappearance. Just as fascinating is the reasons why everyone else has not been totally honest with each other. Alice and Dave's relationship suffers, all in plain sight of their young children. Their unabashed abandon on holiday is shown in a quite different form at home, we're intrigued as to why certain actions were necessary by each when only harm was the outcome. Part thriller and part domestic drama, 'Wish You Were Here' is an ambiguous story which keeps you interested until the inevitable conclusion. Sometimes uncomfortable to watch, Price and Edgerton play their parts perfectly, a typically normal couple with huge unwanted responsibilities on their shoulders. Darcy-Smith does a fine job in knitting together a quite straightforward drama into something watchable and insightful.

It's difficult to like a movie where the majority of the main characters are complete dim-wits. Take case in point, Australian movie "Wish you were here" directed by Kieran Darcy-Smith. As has often become the case the actors seem competent and believable in their emotions and reactions. However script and filmmakers have the lead triangle of characters, especially Joel Edgerton's "Dave" as getting what they deserve. Are we supposed to feel sympathy for tourists who fail to protect themselves in foreign lands. Late in the movie, Edgerton is trying to vent his sadness, he wails and sobs to his wife, but merits nothing but disgust. He is solely to blame and a complete fool. Anyway, additionally soundtrack music was obtrusive and grating. This is another lost story that had potential. Not recommended 5/10

I know I'm a bit biased when it comes to the savants behind the Aquarius Films and Blue-Tongue Films collective but I can't help it: these guys are just too damn good! Wish You Were Here is an emotional roller-coaster that explores the varying reactions of human beings when they are faced with turmoil. Felicity Price (co-writer with husband Kieran Darcy- Smith) plays Alice, a pregnant, formidable mother who discovers after returning from holiday in Cambodia that her husband, Dave(Joel Edgerton) had an affair whilst on the trip. It is the who rather than the how that causes the most drama as the "other woman" was Alice's younger, crazier sister Stef(Teresa Palmer). This love-triangle drama is framed by the wittingly suspenseful disappearance of Stef's new boyfriend, Jeremy(Antony Starr), who vanishes during their final days in Cambodia seemingly without a trace. Darcy-Smith (DS) and the crew behind WYWH play the audience brilliantly: from their calculating publicity strategy to play up the disappearance of Jeremy over the main drama revolving around Dave and Alice's strained relationship; to the eventual unfolding of the film's overall story which happens as if pages of a book had been torn from the spine and fluttered on the ground, only for the reader to read them in whatever order he found them. It is a brilliant way to tell films that turns the traditional circular narrative completely on its head. DS and Felicity Price have a delightful way of writing which encourages the audience to view the narrative from all points of view. When you believe you have sided with one character, something happens next to completely change your allegiance and before you know it, you're rooting for the other side. The cast of this film is also well selected however, I believe some characters (and their corresponding actors) were downplayed a little too much for instance, the character of Stef and our lack of ability to experience her pain and grief and the loss of her new love. Of course, this is all done within reason which the viewer discovers towards the end of the film when we find out that Jeremy and Stef were only new flames, not old embers like Alice and Dave which, whilst it sounds cruel to say, doesn't encourage the audience to feel as sympathetic for their romance being cut short considering it only lasted 6 weeks. Still, Teresa and Antony both give it their all despite their limited screen time which only adds to Joel Edgerton and Felicity Price's performances who play their characters effectively and with a great sense of knowledge about the inner workings of their characters' minds. Its very difficult to watch actors who are inwardly judging their own roles but there is none of that from these two leads. This may come down to Felicity's affiliation with the story from the writing stage but at lot more can be attributed to her as a great actress, as it can with Joel and his capabilities.

This movie only manages to keep viewers vague interest. It also is unconvincing in its plotting and characterisations. Teresa Palmer is given a plain boring role but still manages to give it a good shot, where as Joel Edgerton is pretty week, trying to be mysterious but giving us little reason to care what he's hiding. The movie is well shot and has solid faming and colour but also comes off like a Bali tourism advert at times. The central mystery just isn't that compelling and whatever tension is there throughout the story quickly deflates rather than explodes like it should. It just simply isn't worth an hour and a half of your time.

The plot is simple, two couples visit Cambodia but only three people return, and the film spends its time skilfully cutting between then and now until we understand what went on during the trip, and also understand the unfolding dramatic relationship between the three who make the return trip. As a film I thought the acting, the script, the cinematography and the sound were all very commendable. Although the plot format is not original it is very well done after a seemingly confusing opening few minutes leaves you thinking you may have blinked once too often, as the opening credits run with the film. But once the film has settled down the action is driven by the acting and the script, which are always thoughtful. The film makes no attempt to sentimentalise anything but reveals the story as if we are eavesdropping on the actors. There are several poignant moments which are down to great performances by all concerned. It would be good to see some more output from this stable because there is real promise on show.

Wish you were here is the story of four people who take a holiday in Cambodia but one of them goes missing. The film pieces together the mystery of where the missing man has gone. It's a relatively small film but is well filmed nicely combining drama with the ongoing mystery. It stars the on the up Joel Egerton who is very good in this and he receives excellent support from the rest of the cast who all put in believable performances. It held my interest throughout as it keeps you guessing as to what has happened to the missing man. The main downside is that it does maybe lose a little steam towards the end and the ending is a little flat. Wish you were here will not appeal to those who seek action or thrills and is not a brilliant film however for those that like nicely pitched drama's this is well worth watching.

I was working in Phnom Penh and saw this movie at The Flicks Community Movie House. For me, it perfectly captures both the light and the darkness of modern Cambodia. Cambodia is Eden -- lush, green, magical, innocent. And the opening montage of shots in and around Phnom Penh perfectly captures the pure joy that foreigners can often feel as they experience this wondrous place. But the story of Eden also contains the fall. And what tourists (like the 3 Australians in the film) don't always get, is that Cambodia is still healing, still recovering from the wars (2nd Indochina, followed by Pol Pot, followed by 19 years of civil war). And just beneath the surface of paradise, there can be real danger especially for those who don't know what they are dealing with. I walked out of the theater (into the blasting heat of Phnom Penh) grateful that someone understood and was able to capture through film the complex energies of this moment in this place. (Even though more than half of the movie takes place in Australia, this is very much a movie about Cambodia -- as seen through the eyes of foreigners.) This was also the first time I've seen Joel Edgerton in anything -- and he's a brilliant actor I think (I'm told he's been a big deal in Australia for a while). I just saw Edgerton in Zero Dark Thirty in a small role. I also rented (bought?) Animal Kingdom on iTunes because he was in it and he's great in that too. I'm hoping Wish You Were Here gets a theatrical release in the U.S. If not, I'm hoping it will get a release soon on iTunes and Amazon.com. I've probably checked both places 10 times hoping it will be available but no release yet. I plan to recommend this movie to friends and family (in spite of the very intense subject matter) just because it captures the energy of the place that is so hard to put into words. Your mileage may vary. But this movie hit me at just the right time and 6 months later, I'm scouring the internet trying to find a way to see it again.

Great acting, that's what first comes to mind. Also, a refreshing sense of proper Aussie film-making (in the vein of 'Animal Kingdom' or 'Wolf Creek'). It's tense, very well lensed, fleshed out characters. As the personal drama in the family life unfolds, so does the mystery begin to unravel. The ending doesn't come as a shock, but as a carefully built up finale. Strongly recommended for everyone who's into thriller/drama with horror touches. It uses enough plot elements which aren't the most original, but the way the script blends all these elements into a coherent and well-paced story. A sense of permanent dread menaces the situations on-screen, but this is far from being a grim film. It balances out really well, as there are enough family subplots that lighten it up when the film becomes too tense. And, again, great performances from the actors.

Let me start by telling that this movie has been into spotlight since months right from an official entry into 'Sundance Film Festival' and till now the buzz is still on-going, which is a great thing. I first saw the trailer and was fascinated by it and 'Think It Over' song struck my ears since then. Moreover being a 'Teresa Palmer' fan overall I had lot of expectations from the movie and Yes!...it does have all those needed elements to keep you involve. This is first time I watched an Aussie film and loved it. Way the movie starts is amazing. Thanks to Kieren, in a carefree South-East Asian holiday we get to see Cambodia with foot-stomping music and in few minutes later, way the movie title appears, the scene is terrific and impactive. So you come to know this is gonna be interesting ahead. Sydney is delighting for the eyes. Overall the cinematography of the film is splendid. In terms of acting Felicity Price, Joel Edgerton and Teresa Palmer have very strong performances. Unfortunately Antony Starr is very good but has very short role, which is bit disappointing, considering people would have liked to see him more. Plot of the film is quite familiar though, but it has been handled differently and that's where the movie's plus point lies. I have to mention, Tim Rogers's music is really impactive and I's felicitous to hear 'Think it over' when end titles kept rolling. I would have given rating as 9 for the movie, but only drawback movies has is continuity. I's confused several times watching and thinking, is it flashback or present. Editing is nice, but has certain flaws to make you think and drift away from the flow. So overall, I loved the film and I really appreciate actor Kieran Darcy-Smith's directorial debut. Film is co-written by his wife Felicity Price, who is outstanding actress I must say. This film has awesome acting, nice plot, good locations and continuous suspense to keep us involve. Main thing about the film is, it has significant impact and was not been compromised in terms of budget, which could have been major issue. Hence thumbs-up from my side and I'd love to see Kieran's next attempt.