WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
That which we yearn for, seek to pursue, or dream about in expectation, spurred on by the notion “if I had wishes granted to me to utilize, I would choose to…..”. It’s an aspect of our existence we take on quite frequently in some form, and whether realistic or not, we DO set sights on that which we desire to become the make up of our life and, ideally, that of others close to us as well. In this endeavor, though, how often does it reveal more important, perhaps even buried, longings for things we ACTUALLY want? Then, does it open the doors for those to appear or instead make us acknowledge realities that may not change? Three teenage friends in Belfast, Northern Ireland–Ciara (Ellie McIvor), JP (Tia Parker), and Jordan (Michael Townsley)–are doing what teenagers do–hanging out, and randomly talking about what they would each do if they were granted three wishes. Amidst the hustle and bustle of nightlife, partying, arguing, and pondering, what ends up revealed exposes each of the places their lives truly are–and what it might mean for the future.
Next, my Mind:
It’s unequivocal innocence, beauty, and freedom accompanied by the overt adversity, challenges of decisions made, realities that must be confronted, and a questioning of what we REALLY possess and/or hope for during those formidable years known as youth that gets fleshed out in the span of a single night among friends thanks to this 11-minute indie short film effort from writer/director Will McConnell and producer María Moreno that makes such a notable effort in illustrating the stormy paths we tread when contemplating what we’d do through magic ends up causing us to face deeper, harsher, or necessary truths about the actuality of our lives. Alone it was a true pleasure to watch this film in that it is currently an exceedingly pivotal time for the independent film community overall thanks to Hollywood’s strike-related issues and more specifically a superbly high time for a resurgence of cinematic offerings from the Emerald Isle thanks to recent HIGH quality efforts like “The Banshees of Inisherin”, “An Irish Goodbye”, and “The Quiet Girl” to name but a few that have excelled in the last year.
Here, the narrative takes us through a singular night where aspirations are paramount, teenage rebellion (more in FUN than harm) is king, things we believe we wish to have are voiced, opinions on said things are varied, friendship’s tension and harmony collide, materiality vs. intangible elements of who we are or hope to be manifest, secrets are disclosed, and having to face those factors in life we’d rather avoid all come about in a manner that is both deeply grounded and uncomplicated yet also powerfully evocative in its portrayal of just how scattered and uncertain younger years are or were. I personally applaud the film for not just being “random” about its thematic course, but rather intentional and driven to showcase how joyous AND messy decisions can be. How we then find escape in the things we magically wish for if we could in order to try and rectify so much of what we may just not want to acknowledge or accept, even when we’re well aware of our reality and how it is impacting, could impact, or will impact the road ahead, is convincingly conveyed throughout the events being depicted.
After this, though, I then believe the TRUE power behind the effort lies in the revelations during the film’s third act that highlight how we actually MISS so much, what we want to alter about our journey, and what we already think we see for the future, the latter concept of which, as alluded to above, brings into focus the doubts, hopes, and apprehensions our choices are leading us to. CAN we discover a clear, defined, cohesive, fulfilling thoroughfare to provide absolute purpose or will there be unrequited needs that might be known, but never SEE the light of realization? Not trying to be vague or obtuse here, as frankly, it’s best to watch the film in order to gain a fuller comprehension of how this all fits into the narrative and the perspectives of the characters we’re following. It speaks to those primary facets of life–love, friendship’s bonds, our intolerance at times of discordant viewpoints, the craving for legitimate, satisfying attention and affection, assurance for what we will become, recognizing our faults and missteps, and having the will to accept that which we won’t have our wish granted for. The finale presented here deals with this quite effectively, again with wholly credible weight and substance.
When it comes to our three main characters, it is an exhibition of contrasts in demeanor that dictates their respective outlooks on what they might all wish for, even when not always sharing their innermost thoughts immediately or perhaps even out loud, much less with the magnitude of foresight that the grander situation they’re in demands. But, that’s what makes them so relatable–it’s being HUMAN. McIvor exudes the carefree, confident, yet perhaps a little naïve attitudes of a girl seeking both genuine notice and craved tenderness through her turn as Ciara, the one of the trio who really comes across as the de facto leader of the pack. Comfortable naming off everything she might want off the cuff with her wishes, it still becomes apparent that there’s more going on with her than we might initially see, even as she simply strives to have a good time as any teenager would while being involved in a relationship that may or may not be healthy for her. With other secrets shown late in the film, it’s a reality check to life’s choices that very much paints a portrait of a girl becoming a woman and both the fears and elations that lie in her path. It’s a straightforward performance by McIvor that makes the character the believable one she is.
In the same manner, Parker however presents a picture of quiet, almost haunted reservation in bearing through her role as JP, who seems to have unspoken, frustrated, and even potentially critical notions about the ways in which they trio has been behaving on this night in question, often remaining in the background rather than just diving into things like Ciara and Jordan. Yet, when JP DOES choose to let loose, she does so with, again, such a mix of playful verity tempered with a vexed or displeased (maybe just bored) approach that causes more than a fair share of building friction to the group’s attempted frivolity. Once it is made clear ultimately one of the biggest burdens and/or wishes JP has, things come into focus freshly and understandably, putting all SHE might use three wishes for into a standpoint that once could easily see might upend the others’ more, dare we say, initially cavalier views on events they’re discussing and aiming to engage with. A subtle, solidly grounded performance by Parker that befits the character to a “T”.
Finally there is Townsley, which is a study in the fiery bravado and unchecked exuberance of that animal known as a teenage boy through his role as Jordan, Ciara’s current beau and someone who more than conspicuously shows a rebel view of life via how he chooses to engage with it as the three of them discuss the wishes but also make their play at interacting with the varying circumstances they encounter as the evening progresses. Defiant and cocky, his adoration for Ciara seems like his only controllable element, but even this may not be the totally amicable nature he exists by with her either. He’s a wild card, and it assuredly delivers an image of youth’s chaotic realm that could use a chance to find the means to settle, at least a little. It’s a great performance that Townsley brings in order to kind of both endear us and turn us away from his character’s ways, even if some are only hinted at. Additional supporting turns are present here from Oran Dunn, Joe Sharkey, and William Cully.
So, in total, “Three Wishes”, at least for this critic, takes us as the viewer well beyond its title’s cornerstone premise and efficiently delves into the questioning of what we REALLY hunger to achieve, the paths we’re seeking to get there, the mistakes we make, the rising awareness of who we actually are, the necessity of sincere people around us for support, not keeping things hidden, and a firmly rooted belief in what we might see as a better outcome, not selfishly but SELFLESSLY, then for others we treasure. On that line of thinking, it puts an affecting context to a wish we might all aim to see come to fruition for BOTH ourselves and others–the whole world.
STAR RATING (Out of 5):
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
