Gentle and light for most of its run time, the film shifts to something weightier during its final quarter. The film effectively captures the innocence and the simple (albeit often profound) hopes of children. The sequence when they meet the elderly couple might be my single favorite bit in a film all year. While some sense of resolution occurs, Koreeda rightly keeps a major loose end dangling, bringing a sense of the real loss these kids have experienced.

This concept could have been bastardized into manipulative oblivion had it been tackled by an Academy-friendly director, but Koreeda's affecting, human approach at family dramas saves the film from its possibility of being a disaster. Koreeda gets extra kudos for understanding how to actually write children (the one child's wish about getting more Beyblades spoke way too much to my childhood).

I wanted to like this more but it didn't work for me possibly due to festival fatigue (but only the first day). The child performances are all fantastic and it's worth watching to see those but quite disappointing after hearing so many positive things.

A light-hearted story about two brothers separated by the recent divorce of their parents that folds a range of surprising elements together in a Murakami-like way.

The story focuses on the two boys and their groups of friends and thematically returns to childrens dreams for the future, at times appearing to drop into a documentary interview format where the kids say what they'd like to be when they grow up. It feels playful, spontaneous, a little directionless but does a pretty good job of maintaining a child-like view of the world despite the troubles of the childrens parents.

I've only watched a couple of Hirokazu films, and like the others this one also offers a wonderful look at life in Japan in its memorable and well chosen plot elements and images.

This concept could have been bastardized into manipulative oblivion had it been tackled by an Academy-friendly director, but Koreeda's affecting, human approach at family dramas saves the film from its possibility of being a disaster. Koreeda gets extra kudos for understanding how to actually write children (the one child's wish about getting more Beyblades spoke way too much to my childhood).

Thoughtful Koichi (Koki Maeda) lives with his mother beneath ominous volcanic clouds in Kagoshima whilst his fun-loving little brother Ryu (Ohshirô Maeda) persists with their idler father in Fukuoka. Ryu remembers only fights but Koichi recalls happy times and determines to reunite the family by making a wish during the magical eruption that occurs when two bullet trains pass. Director Koreeda creates exceptional warmth in this simple tale of brotherly love not least through the shepherding of several fantastic young performers. I Wish (2013) is a delicate, touching and ultimately fulfilling peek into the minds, hearts and dreams of children.

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Hirokazu Koreeda’s I wish was slight and overlong. The story of two brothers separated by divorce and reconnected by a high-speed bullet train link. The soundtrack is distractingly chintzy and there are far too many shots of school kids walking along roadsides without much going on but it’s a sweet natured film. It’s also refreshing to see a film about broken families in which parental reconciliation isn’t the focus and dissolution of the nuclear family isn’t cause for wayward delinquentism

Moving without ever being sentimental, I Wish is a drama about two young brothers living with separated parents who long to be a family again. It's quiet and understated, but the characters are so rich and human that it's simply a pleasure to spend two hours in their company. The performances from the young boys (who are also brothers in real life) are excellent.

A light-hearted story about two brothers separated by the recent divorce of their parents that folds a range of surprising elements together in a Murakami-like way.

The story focuses on the two boys and their groups of friends and thematically returns to childrens dreams for the future, at times appearing to drop into a documentary interview format where the kids say what they'd like to be when they grow up. It feels playful, spontaneous, a little directionless but does a pretty good job of maintaining a child-like view of the world despite the troubles of the childrens parents.

I've only watched a couple of Hirokazu films, and like the others this one also offers a wonderful look at life in Japan in its memorable and well chosen plot elements and images.

Wonderful comedy-drama from the great Hirokazu Koreeda about young brothers dealing with their parents' separation. Warm, wise and touching, carried by beautifully judged, naturalistic performances from its young cast.

One of the best films I've seen this year (2013). This film had me smiling and chuckling until a wonderful moment I don't want to spoil. See it. Take your kids aged 8+.