Japan, 2011. 128 mins. Dir. Hirokazu Koreeda

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I WISH

This touching portrait of family life in contemporary Japan follows two young brothers who, divided by their parents’ divorce, attend different schools and live at opposite ends of the same island. Keen to reunite their parents they hatch a mystical plan after overhearing a rumour that wishes come true for those who stand in a certain spot when two bullet trains pass each other. Never twee or condescending, I Wish is delightful in many different ways, a tender little fairy tale.

‘Simply put, it’s hard to remember a better film about pre-teen life than ‘I Wish’: every performance works, every character fits, every observation rings true. It’s best summed up by its original Japanese title, ‘Kiseki’: ‘miracle’. * * * * *
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