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WRITTEN BY

WISH YOU WERE HERE (2025)

MPAA: PG13.
Release Date: 01/17/25 [Cinemas]
Genre: Romance.

Studio: Lionsgate. 

"A woman searching for a spark finds a whirlwind night of romance with a man only to discover he is terminally ill and commits to helping him spend his last days living life to the fullest." 

OUR MOVIE REVIEW:

Wish You Were Here is a romantic, poetic and beautifully crafted movie. It’s a film for the dreamers, the artists and those who believe in soulmates and true love. 

 

Watching this, it’s easy to see why co-writer and director Julia Stiles wanted to make this movie after reading Renee Carlino’s bestselling, tragic romance novel.

 

I went into Wish You Were Here completely cold, which is my strong recommendation if you can do it. After watching the movie, I went back and watched the trailer and I was horrified at how much of the story they gave away. I think you should go in as cold as you can – and because of that, I don’t want to reveal too much in this review (in my opinion, even the IMDB premise above gives away too much of the plot!)

 

Isabelle Fuhrman is terrific as Charlotte, a young woman working in a restaurant who hasn’t quite figured out her path in life, whether to a career or to love. The supporting actors all do a great job – including Kelsey Grammar as Charlotte’s dad, whom we don’t see enough of because he steals every scene he’s in. 

 

The real standout performance here, however, is Mena Massoud, who absolutely lights up the screen as Adam, the mysterious young man who captures Charlotte’s heart in a one-night stand that becomes so much more. Sure, there are a few red flags or warning signs, but he’s so charming and irresistible that we cheer when she starts to fall for him.

 

Massoud is so captivating in his role that the audience can truly relate to Charlotte – like her, we just want to see him again and can’t seem to get him out of our minds. Long after their meet-cute and night together, after Charlotte believes she’s been ghosted and struggles to let go of her memories of their short time together, the audience still craves more of Adam, too.

 

Once Adam’s mysterious secret is revealed and the couple are reunited, their story becomes a sweet and tender, though ultimately tragic, romance. This movie also made me realize that the sub-genre of sad romances is one I must really like. Wish You Were Here reminded me of The Fault in Our Stars, Five Feet Apart and other films I love even though (or because?) they make me cry.

 

If you like romances, you’re not afraid of falling fast and you’re okay with a tearjerker of a film, then Wish You Were Here is a must-watch. It’s a great reminder that what matters most in this world are our connections with others – and that a true soul connection is rare, hard to find and worth holding onto for as long as you can.

OUR VERDICT:

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