48 reviews
Pretty good drama mystery
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.
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.
- MattyGibbs
- Sep 5, 2014
- Permalink
Dumb Characters
It drags on....
Here is a review based on my enjoyment of the film, bearing in mind I have no film background or any credentials as a film critic. Basically I am just telling you my own personal perspective, which I fully accept others may or may not agree with: The acting was convincing and engaging, the settings were authentic (I really felt like I was there with them in Cambodia)... It's just that the movie goes on and on and on... and there really is no mystery in the end (I don't want to say more bc it might spoil it for you). I spent most of the movie trying to entertain myself - surfing the net, taking breaks to do laundry and chores - so I could still watch but keep myself occupied bc basically I was bored. I thought the ending was good as it pulls the story together. I just would have preferred they got to the ending quicker. Wish it had been a 45 minute movie, instead of 1.5 hours. I did watch the beginning of the movie (it was good), and I watched the end of the movie - it was mostly the stuff in the middle that ran over-long.
- Vancouver77
- Apr 17, 2021
- Permalink
Falls Flat...
Wish You Were Here is a directorial debut for actor Kieran Darcy-Smith and written by Darcy-Smith and his wife Felicity Price. The premise of the movie is promising: four Australian friends are enjoying a holiday in Cambodia, but one goes missing after a particularly "heavy" night of partying. The movie is superbly shot and mostly well acted, but I was nevertheless disappointed.
We see the holiday firstly as a 10 minute sequence which moved too rapidly for me. As the movie progresses the holiday is shown in beautiful flashbacks, which give us insight into the characters as well as depicting some of the events that took place. When husband and wife, Dave and Alice (Joel Edgerton and Felicity Price) return to Sydney, they leave Alice's sister, Steph (Teresa Palmer), to try to find out what happened to her boyfriend, Jeremy (Antony Starr). Dave is uneasy and troubled, and even more so when Steph arrives home and the first of many secrets is uncovered.
Joel Edgerton is marvellous as a man wracked with guilt and tormented by secrets and lies he dare not reveal. Teresa Palmer is also very good, but unfortunately her part is underwritten. I found that I became a bit bored with Felicity Price's character, Alice, especially when we start to see more and more of her and less of Dave. About half way through, the movie seemed to become stuck, and I was wanting the original storyline to develop and to give answers to the mystery. When truth is finally revealed, it is terrifying, but it feels anti-climactic, because we've had to wait too long.
I found it hard to sweep my expectations aside and see the movie as the writers/director intended it to be: a story about the effect on family life when one spouse hides a dark truth from their partner. I was expecting more of a thriller, and even as I tried to accept the way the plot unfolded, I still found it disappointing. At certain times I felt sympathy for the characters and I felt their pain; but there were scenes where the magnitude of emotions that the characters were experiencing was not adequately conveyed, (for example, the ending). Obviously, Wish You Were Here was not as engrossing for me as it was for others, but I wish it had been.
We see the holiday firstly as a 10 minute sequence which moved too rapidly for me. As the movie progresses the holiday is shown in beautiful flashbacks, which give us insight into the characters as well as depicting some of the events that took place. When husband and wife, Dave and Alice (Joel Edgerton and Felicity Price) return to Sydney, they leave Alice's sister, Steph (Teresa Palmer), to try to find out what happened to her boyfriend, Jeremy (Antony Starr). Dave is uneasy and troubled, and even more so when Steph arrives home and the first of many secrets is uncovered.
Joel Edgerton is marvellous as a man wracked with guilt and tormented by secrets and lies he dare not reveal. Teresa Palmer is also very good, but unfortunately her part is underwritten. I found that I became a bit bored with Felicity Price's character, Alice, especially when we start to see more and more of her and less of Dave. About half way through, the movie seemed to become stuck, and I was wanting the original storyline to develop and to give answers to the mystery. When truth is finally revealed, it is terrifying, but it feels anti-climactic, because we've had to wait too long.
I found it hard to sweep my expectations aside and see the movie as the writers/director intended it to be: a story about the effect on family life when one spouse hides a dark truth from their partner. I was expecting more of a thriller, and even as I tried to accept the way the plot unfolded, I still found it disappointing. At certain times I felt sympathy for the characters and I felt their pain; but there were scenes where the magnitude of emotions that the characters were experiencing was not adequately conveyed, (for example, the ending). Obviously, Wish You Were Here was not as engrossing for me as it was for others, but I wish it had been.
- dandelionfields
- May 9, 2012
- Permalink
Wish You Were Better
- osterhoutj_2
- Dec 9, 2013
- Permalink
functional mystery
- SnoopyStyle
- Nov 28, 2016
- Permalink
Like sitting next to pissed idiots in a pub....
...and overhearing their moronic conversation. Plot follows: Three people who should never be allowed to breed try to do adult things and fail. Reminds me of one dreary summer I spent in Byron Bay, finishing a Masters degree and writing a lot in cafes. Overheard so many braindead conversations being had by so many dimwitted half-hippies.
How does tripe like this get funded?
How does tripe like this get funded?
- transformation-49932
- Nov 23, 2021
- Permalink
Effective telemovie mystery centres on middle-class marital woes, following a Cambodian holiday gone wrong.
Don't be put off by the opening of this movie, which shows four privileged thirty-somethings indulging themselves on a SE Asian holiday; followed by more self-conscious family life in pretty Sydney surroundings. Then it appears not all is well. One of the four, a businessman, has gone missing, and other things which happened on the holiday begin to be revealed. Excellent performances from Teresa Palmer and Joel Edgerton, and a skillful withholding of information, keep this mystery/emotional drama ticking over. The prettiness of the photography is a nice irony, contrasting with the increasingly murky revelations. There's a slight over-indulgence in arty camera angles when you'd like to get closer to the characters and their feelings; the performances by the missing man's parents are unconvincing, and the the lead female performance is often curiously detached. Nevertheless this is one of those stories which slowly grows stronger; its twists are credible and powerful. Good work!
- adam-703-808689
- Jul 2, 2013
- Permalink
No thrills here
Wish You Were Here starts with a barrage of sights and sounds, as married couple Dave and his pregnant wife Alice (Joel Edgerton and Felicity Price), Alice's younger sister Steph (Teresa Palmer) and new boyfriend Jeremy (Antony Starr) holiday in Cambodia. All too quickly Dave and Alice have returned to Sydney, and we find out that Jeremy is missing after a drug fuelled night. As Steph returns home, questions are asked and secrets revealed as the trio try to cope with what happened.
I was intrigued as to where the movie was headed, but at around the 50 minute mark I was starting to lose patience, waiting for it to get to a point. When it finally got to that point, although shocking, I almost didn't even care what had really happened. And the final moments felt rushed and glossed over.
We don't get to see nearly enough of Edgerton or Palmer, both of whom have exceptional talent. Edgerton really embraces the character of Dave who is hiding a dark secret and it's slowly tearing him apart. Palmer doesn't get the chance to shine as her character is left alone to suffer. Considering it was Steph's boyfriend who disappeared, it would have been better to see more from her point of view. Price floats through with the same bored expression as a self absorbed wife. Starr is likable and very believable, but again we don't get to see him enough.
Unfortunately director Kieran Darcy-Smith's first feature doesn't know what it wants to be, and perhaps tries to be a little too clever for it's own good. I'll admit that the stunning trailer with the hypnotic music was what captivated me and gave me high hopes for Wish You Were Here, but I also feel that the trailer gives a different impression of what the movie ends up being about. It starts out as a mystery, but about half way through Alice becomes the main character and the movie takes a left turn into a narrative about a marriage breakdown from only one person's point of view.
The locations in both Sydney and abroad have been beautifully shot. The scenes between past and present flow seamlessly. Besides the opening of the movie, the fateful holiday is shown only through minor flashbacks, which I think are the highlight.
Australian movies certainly have the ability to pull you in and not let you go. But it's frustrating when you know a movie has the potential to move you and engage you, and it fails to do so. This should have been a gripping dramatic thriller, but sadly there are no thrills to be had here.
I was intrigued as to where the movie was headed, but at around the 50 minute mark I was starting to lose patience, waiting for it to get to a point. When it finally got to that point, although shocking, I almost didn't even care what had really happened. And the final moments felt rushed and glossed over.
We don't get to see nearly enough of Edgerton or Palmer, both of whom have exceptional talent. Edgerton really embraces the character of Dave who is hiding a dark secret and it's slowly tearing him apart. Palmer doesn't get the chance to shine as her character is left alone to suffer. Considering it was Steph's boyfriend who disappeared, it would have been better to see more from her point of view. Price floats through with the same bored expression as a self absorbed wife. Starr is likable and very believable, but again we don't get to see him enough.
Unfortunately director Kieran Darcy-Smith's first feature doesn't know what it wants to be, and perhaps tries to be a little too clever for it's own good. I'll admit that the stunning trailer with the hypnotic music was what captivated me and gave me high hopes for Wish You Were Here, but I also feel that the trailer gives a different impression of what the movie ends up being about. It starts out as a mystery, but about half way through Alice becomes the main character and the movie takes a left turn into a narrative about a marriage breakdown from only one person's point of view.
The locations in both Sydney and abroad have been beautifully shot. The scenes between past and present flow seamlessly. Besides the opening of the movie, the fateful holiday is shown only through minor flashbacks, which I think are the highlight.
Australian movies certainly have the ability to pull you in and not let you go. But it's frustrating when you know a movie has the potential to move you and engage you, and it fails to do so. This should have been a gripping dramatic thriller, but sadly there are no thrills to be had here.
- streamofstars
- Apr 28, 2012
- Permalink
A movie where the plot & idea are better then the actual movie. Last 20 min are good, getting there is a struggle. I say B-
"Something happened the night of the party, after you went to sleep." Steph McKinney (Palmer) and her boyfriend Jeremy go on a vacation to Cambodia with her sister and her husband Dave (Edgerton). They are having a good time laying on the beach and relaxing. When they return home only three of them make the trip. Now all three are trying to figure out where Jeremy is and why he didn't come back. Only one person knows the truth. This is another perfect example of a movie where the idea is much more exciting then the actual movie. While the movie isn't that bad it is pretty slow moving up until the last 20 min. Until then the movie jumps around a bit and makes it a little hard to follow for the first half. The acting is very good but nothing really seemed to happen for most of the movie. Again, the last quarter is good but getting to that point is a little bit of a struggle. Overall, a movie that starts off very slow but worth sticking with to see the ending. I give it a B-.
- cosmo_tiger
- Jul 10, 2013
- Permalink
A climax definitely not worth the wait
Two Sydney couples vacation in Cambodia, drop some E, and then one of them doesn't return. One wades through 90 minutes of feints and starts, red herrings and miscues, script McGuffins and irrelevant intrigue, all to get to the punchline, the climax, the upshot, the endpoint of what happens to Jeremy. You'll find out, in due time, boredom having grown sufficiently intense within you, only to realize knowing is not worth the tedium. We spend pointless time being faked out by the subplot that Steph, Jeremy's girlfriend, slept with sister Allison's husband (the wag in me watched this and kept saying, "no they didn't!" because it is miring digression that bears little credibility and no relevance). Australia's film industry can do way better than this jaded, cynical, unoriginal, stereotype-laden confection. I hope.
- karmaswimswami
- Apr 18, 2014
- Permalink
Darcy-Smith does a fine job in knitting together a quite straightforward drama into something watchable and insightful.
- dipesh-parmar
- Mar 8, 2015
- Permalink
Drama Suspense Mystery....Yes!
Australia is giving us some impressive films and Wish You Were Here is a fine example of that. Australia is churning out some amazing directors, actors and films. I'm at that point where I see Australian directors, I give it a view. And you should definitely give Wish You Were Here a view.
It is difficult to write a review of a movie and not give away any plot points. The story is as much about a family and familial ties as it is about a mystery of a missing person. Nicely shot with superb actors and you get a nice little mystery with some family drama and international intrigue. A+
It is difficult to write a review of a movie and not give away any plot points. The story is as much about a family and familial ties as it is about a mystery of a missing person. Nicely shot with superb actors and you get a nice little mystery with some family drama and international intrigue. A+
- Fancytower
- Nov 27, 2015
- Permalink
Good example of what not to do
I got through the movie, the acting was not horrible, but I absolutely hate when the movie keeps bouncing from past to present. Drives me nuts and I have to think the director thinks they are creative, I just think they are lazy and can't tell a decent story. That being said, all actors were believable, and the story did its job. This really shouldn't be necessary to say, but if you go somewhere new, it is not a good idea to get so blitzed out that you lose your sense of well being. Stay safe! Everyone wants to have fun, and Cambodia I have no doubt is beautiful and offers a lot of entertainment. I think anyone who watches anything on Asian cultures knows they delve into areas that are distasteful. It is not a place I would care to visit but if I did, I wouldn't be stupid about it.
Dramatically unrewarding with a dud ending.
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.
- jackcwelch23
- Oct 14, 2017
- Permalink
Wary of Australian drama - but a new look at this 2012 re-issue - WITH SPOILERS
- acryan-73091
- Dec 31, 2021
- Permalink
Good beach-oriented crime/mystery told in an annoying, viewer-unfriendly way
Two couples from Australia take a vacation to the beaches of Cambodia in which the beau of one of the sisters mysteriously goes missing after a night of partying. Upon their return to Sydney they try to put the broken pieces together.
"Wish You Were Here" (2012) is a psychological crime drama/mystery with some thrills belonging to the subgenre about Caucasians visiting a dubious Southeast Asian country and running into inevitable problems, like "Vinyan" (2008), "No Escape" (2015) or even "The Beach" (2000). Teresa Palmer (Steph) is a highlight as usual while the locations are great and the cast is effective.
Unfortunately, the supposedly 'hip' shaky handheld cam and relatively quick editing in the first act get annoying real fast. Worse, the story is told in an unnecessarily convoluted manner with constant flash-forwards, flashbacks and flash-presents all jammed together with little indication. Sure, you'll be able to put the pieces together by the second half, but why make the viewer work so hard?
While this makes the flick rather unenjoyable, there are several interesting psychological things going on that make it worthwhile, not to mention the aforementioned positives.
The film runs 1 hours, 29 minutes, and was shot in New South Wales, Australia, including the Sydney area, as well as Sihanoukville on the coast of Cambodia.
GRADE: B-/C+
"Wish You Were Here" (2012) is a psychological crime drama/mystery with some thrills belonging to the subgenre about Caucasians visiting a dubious Southeast Asian country and running into inevitable problems, like "Vinyan" (2008), "No Escape" (2015) or even "The Beach" (2000). Teresa Palmer (Steph) is a highlight as usual while the locations are great and the cast is effective.
Unfortunately, the supposedly 'hip' shaky handheld cam and relatively quick editing in the first act get annoying real fast. Worse, the story is told in an unnecessarily convoluted manner with constant flash-forwards, flashbacks and flash-presents all jammed together with little indication. Sure, you'll be able to put the pieces together by the second half, but why make the viewer work so hard?
While this makes the flick rather unenjoyable, there are several interesting psychological things going on that make it worthwhile, not to mention the aforementioned positives.
The film runs 1 hours, 29 minutes, and was shot in New South Wales, Australia, including the Sydney area, as well as Sihanoukville on the coast of Cambodia.
GRADE: B-/C+
Good acting, poor story,poor film
Saw this recently on a flight from Bangkok and although it was only on the incredibly small screen, I think it was about the right size for the story. It was a very simple tale, with not too much drama and fairly predictable narrative wrapped around a very obvious dialogue. The main lead acted well and that in my mind magnified the shortcomings of the story.
There were obvious gaps in the story that the actors tried to fill with raw emotion but that didn't quite gel with me and there was the willing suspension of disbelief with regard to the final scenes that were meant to sum up so much but instead left you feeling that the tale had been dragged out somewhat.
There were obvious gaps in the story that the actors tried to fill with raw emotion but that didn't quite gel with me and there was the willing suspension of disbelief with regard to the final scenes that were meant to sum up so much but instead left you feeling that the tale had been dragged out somewhat.
A strong cast in a slightly messy film with a good mystery at the centre
This recently came onto Netflix and I thought I'd give it a chance. The story sounded like my kind of thing and the movie had been lucky enough to get a pretty decent cast together before some of them would've been too big to do a film like this. I think the cast are a big part of what kept this movie afloat. Without some serious acting chops carrying it I could see this film falling apart very quickly.
The story is told in non-linear fashion and there are no clear indicators to tell you where you are exactly. You can usually work it about 10-20 seconds into the scene, but you do have to have your wits about you. It chops and changes so much though that it can be quite jarring and can be hard to relax into the rhythm of the film. Also, while I did mention I liked the cast, I actually had to turn the subtitles on because it was very difficult to pick up their dialogue a lot of the time.
The mystery at the heart of the film is an interesting one and it is strong enough to push the film past its other flaws. I wanted to know what had happened and I wasn't disappointed when I found out. The characters themselves in this film are truly shocking people. I'm not sure if they were intended to be written that way, but that's certainly how they came across.
This was somewhere between a 6 and a 7 for me. I settled on a 7 because it knew not to outstay its welcome and it kept me reasonably entertained for the most part.
The story is told in non-linear fashion and there are no clear indicators to tell you where you are exactly. You can usually work it about 10-20 seconds into the scene, but you do have to have your wits about you. It chops and changes so much though that it can be quite jarring and can be hard to relax into the rhythm of the film. Also, while I did mention I liked the cast, I actually had to turn the subtitles on because it was very difficult to pick up their dialogue a lot of the time.
The mystery at the heart of the film is an interesting one and it is strong enough to push the film past its other flaws. I wanted to know what had happened and I wasn't disappointed when I found out. The characters themselves in this film are truly shocking people. I'm not sure if they were intended to be written that way, but that's certainly how they came across.
This was somewhere between a 6 and a 7 for me. I settled on a 7 because it knew not to outstay its welcome and it kept me reasonably entertained for the most part.
- jtindahouse
- Jan 5, 2022
- Permalink
They all need a good wash
I have no idea why everyone has the greasiest hair throughout this movie. How do you know when you're married to a chump? He leaves you to walk home in Cambodia while you're pregnant. These people are ridiculous.
Nothing stays hidden forever
Four Australians enjoy partying in a country that has barely healed from five decades of war. The beautiful landscape belies the pain and violence just beneath the surface, and, in spite of the insulation of their whiteness and civility, they are horrified to find that one of them has disappeared.
The movie is uneven, but the acting and scenery make for an absorbing mystery. The writing, however, missed lots of opportunities to make an engaging premise into a great movie.
The movie is uneven, but the acting and scenery make for an absorbing mystery. The writing, however, missed lots of opportunities to make an engaging premise into a great movie.
Very choppy editing
Hard to follow, are we back in the past, are we in Oz or back in Thailand.. music just starts blasting over everything for no apparent reason.
Its been so hard and frustrating to follow I came here to check the score .
Hard to follow, are we back in the past, are we in Oz or back in Thailand.. music just starts blasting over everything for no apparent reason.
Its been so hard and frustrating to follow I came here to check the score .
Hard to follow, are we back in the past, are we in Oz or back in Thailand.. music just starts blasting over everything for no apparent reason.
Its been so hard and frustrating to follow I came here to check the score .
Its been so hard and frustrating to follow I came here to check the score .
Hard to follow, are we back in the past, are we in Oz or back in Thailand.. music just starts blasting over everything for no apparent reason.
Its been so hard and frustrating to follow I came here to check the score .
Hard to follow, are we back in the past, are we in Oz or back in Thailand.. music just starts blasting over everything for no apparent reason.
Its been so hard and frustrating to follow I came here to check the score .
The perfect movie about modern Cambodia
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.
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.
- TobyWanKenobi
- May 15, 2013
- Permalink
Good drama
Good Australian drama. Intriguing, compelling. Solid direction.
Great performances, especially from Felicity Price and Joel Edgerton.
Great performances, especially from Felicity Price and Joel Edgerton.
While on holiday in Cambodia, two couples partake in all the traditional tourist attractions the impoverished country has to offer.
While on holiday in Cambodia, two couples, Dave and Alice Flannery (Joel Edgerton and Felicity Price) and Steph McKinney and Jeremy King (Teresa Palmer and Antony Starr), partake in all the traditional tourist attractions the impoverished country has to offer, but after attending an underground dance party, Jeremy unexpectedly disappears and a dark secret is buried within the circle of friends. What starts out like a third chapter in "The Hangover" franchise quickly morphs into a simple and dismal story of betrayal that drags its feet through the first two acts, only to conclude on an intriguing high note. However, the compelling conclusion only leaves an irritating aftertaste, since the journey certainly isn't worth the pay off. Director Kieran Darcy-Smith neglects his characters' foundations and significance to such a degree that viewers have little to invest in. In turn, everyone's wavering fates are insignificant and disposable. In the same fashion of the story, Edgerton and Price float through the film without devoting too much into their characters, but once the finale comes into play, they immediately switch gears and display their true acting abilities.
- SLUGMagazineFilms
- Jan 19, 2012
- Permalink