How many of us revisit A Walk To Remember with the belief that Jamie will somehow pull through? Chemistry is what makes us want to believe an outcome is going to be one thing, only for us to feel the visceral reality of the truth.
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Wish You Were Here Is Elevated By Its Central Performances
Isabelle Fuhrman is great as usual. She is charming as the relatable Charlotte, a waitress who wants something more in life. She has an out-of-this-world amazing meet-cute with Adam. Charlotte feels like a real person and, despite the script's shortcomings, she is in an impossible situation. Her desire for love and companionship sets her up for the ultimate heartbreak.
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The film's leads effectively tell a story about how love is always the right path, no matter how much it may hurt.
Fuhrman has nice chemistry with Massoud, but it isn't that dazzling. At times, it feels as though Fuhrman is carrying the two as she oscillates between vulnerable and determined. Massoud is certainly doing his best; he also taps into his character's vulnerability, but his strength is less around the romance and more about the struggle Adam faces with his illness. As is the case with many romantic dramas of this nature, his condition is terminal. Massoud's performance is heart-shattering. It's difficult to maintain composure throughout the watch. Furhman is the same with her performance, easily pushing the tear-duct release button.
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Wish You Were Here Can Feel Like Two Separate Films
Stiles is a capable director. The film is filled with contrivances and clichés, but it's effective, though the bar to get an emotional reaction is rather low. Stiles also wrote the screenplay (alongside Renée Carlino), and the strongest part is how she delicately shepherds us through this experience. The film is hard to watch and is perhaps not the go-to romantic movie night choice, but if you're looking for a film that cuts you to the core and tears you up inside, Stiles' film is the perfect choice.
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Wish You Were Here could have done some things better, but it ultimately serves its purpose. It's a visceral experience, though it doesn't reach those epic highs because the romance, while it works on paper, doesn't quite materialize as expected. In some ways, Fuhrman exists in the romantic dramedy Wish You Were Here strives to be, while Massoud is in a harrowing drama.
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Night Call takes the events of one night to the absolute limits when Mady finds himself landing in hot water with plenty of action and tension.
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Both accept the challenges of their roles and nail them, but when they come together, that full-on spark isn't quite there. However, I recognize that chemistry is subjective, so others may find the complete experience satisfying. In the end, together and on their own, the film's leads effectively tell a story about how love is always the right path, no matter how much it may hurt.
Wish You Were Here is now playing in theaters. The film is rated PG-13 for some sexual material and strong language.
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Pros
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Fuhrman & Massoud prove to be capable actors
A tearjerker that succeeds at it's main task
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Cons
Fuhrman & Massoud don't have strong romantic chemstry
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The contrivances are inevitable but are too noticeable
