I WISH

Koichi (Koki Maeda) is a 12-year-old boy who wants nothing more than his whole family to live under the same roof after being separated from his younger brother Ryunosuke (Ohshiro Maeda) due to their parents’ divorce. When Koichi is told by classmates that a new bullet train service will make anyone’s wish come true, it becomes the catalyst for the brothers and their friends to set off on an adventure they hope will make their dreams a reality. I Wish is a sweet and inspiring movie that captures the lives of children with parents who haven’t quite grown up yet themselves. It includes beautiful cinematography, a predominantly instrumental score and bright-eyed acting from young children who represent the aspirations of little minds with big dreams. ***1/2