WISH UPON

Joey King     Ryan Phillippe     Ki Hong Lee     Mitchell Slaggert     Shannon Purser     Sydney Park

     Wish upon a star?  How about an exotic Chinese box?  This film is about that box and the lesson it teaches about “Be careful what you wish for.” 

     As in many/most horror films, the story starts out very ordinary with a happy young girl riding her bike with her dog down the block and back.  Of course, this is just illusory; as soon as she gets home there will be a tragic surprise.

     Flash forward a dozen or so years, and Clare (King) is a teenager living with her father (Phillippe), and having two close friends, June (Purser) and Meredith (Park), but not much else.  She’s bullied by the most popular girl in a high school clique, longs for the attention of Paul (Staggert) who is in the clique and doesn’t even see her, and feels embarrassed about her father emptying the dumpsters near her school where everyone can see.  Clare’s father is a packrat, gleaning things from dumpsters that he thinks will be useful someday.  He proudly brings home an ornate box that he is sure Clare will love, and leaves it on her bed as “an early birthday present.”

     It is attractive, with Chinese writing on it, which Clare is intrigued with for a while, given that she is taking a class in Chinese.  She asks her Chinese teacher and fellow Chinese student, Ryan (Ki Hong Lee), about it, but they can’t translate everything; however, Ryan has a friend who knows much more Chinese and could help.  Off Clare and Ryan go to visit Gina (Alice Lee), where they learn that the box gives the possessor seven wishes…with caveats, as in blood prices.

     Of course, in her discomfort, Clare makes some wishes, and lo and behold they come true.  She makes some more, and all of her troubles seem to be over.  But oh so gradually she is reminded of those caveats, which she tries to ignore, but the box is insistent. 

     Wish Upon is a horror movie for fans, particularly those in the teenage years.  Much is there for them to identify with and be horrified and frightened of.  I have an idea that the high school scenes are exactly true to life, showing mixtures of angst, rudeness, and superiority.  Director John R. Leonetti tells writer Barbara Marshall’s story well, divulging information gradually with touches of suspense and with special effects enhancing the mystery.  Tomandandy’s music is spot on in conveying the mood/terror of the moment. 

     Although Star Joey King’s performance is OK, it lacks the nuance and subtleties called for in the main actor.  Her expression seems always to be the same, regardless of what situation she is in.  I didn’t see the pain in her portrayal that the character must have felt when she realized how self-focused her wishes were and the consequences they brought about.  On the other hand, the actors playing friends June (Purser) and Meredith (Park) are much more entertaining, showing a range of smartness, insight, and humor.  They also contrast with the actor Staggert in his role as pretty boy Paul, who is rather wooden in his presentation.  Ryan Phillippe plays Clare’s father in a minor role, but competently executed.

Be careful what you wish for and its price.

Grade:  C                                    By Donna R. Copeland

GOING IN STYLE

Morgan Freeman   Michael Caine   Alan Arkin   Matt Dillon  

Joey King   Peter Serafinowicz   Ann Margret   Kenan Thompson

      Going in Style is primarily a comedy, highlighting its three main stars (Freeman, Caine, Arkin), their struggles with aging, and the mixture of easy camaraderie and insults going on between them.  It’s a remake of the 1979 Going in Style with George Burns, Art Carney, and Lee Strassberg. As in the previous version, to spice it up, a bit of “justifiable” crime antics loosely akin to that in the recent Hell or High Water (at least in its rationale) make it much more interesting.  It plays on the immediate fears of older people today about their pensions and Social Security and the anger toward contemporary banks for their misbehavior. 

     Joe (Caine) is in a bad place because he is financing his granddaughter’s education; Willie has major kidney problems that need attention, and Albert (Arkin) is simply trying to survive.  When the company they worked for, for years, pulls the rug out from under them, they have to figure out a plan.  About the same time that Joe is having discussions with his obtuse, unsympathetic banker who sold him a policy that eventually tripled his mortgage payment (reminiscent of hundreds of such scams in our recent past), thieves hold up the bank.  When they get away with a million plus dollars, Joe says, “Hmmm…”

     The film proceeds formulaically like a comedy show with precise timing of jokes, human interest segments, and clever twists of plot.  A romantic connection is clearly inserted to appease those who need that element.  But the major twist toward the end involves an astute child wise beyond her years.  I guess it was the only way the filmmakers could get out of a bit of a mess, and it will surely please most of the audience. 

     Directed by Zach Braff (Garden State, Wish I was Here), a man much younger than the character and actors, it helps us empathize with so many older Americans who have lost their pensions to corporate thoughtlessness, greed, and bank scams.  Leads Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, and Alan Arkin are all pros who have worked together previously in various combinations, and they give gravitas to the production.  Strong supporting roles are played by Dillon, Margret, Thompson, and King.  The soundtrack and original music of Rob Simonsen provide entertaining, lyrical tunes as an accompaniment.

An updated, timely version of three old friends’ lives.

Grade:  C+                                    By Donna R. Copeland