User Reviews

"Wish 143" is a British 24-minute live action short film from 2009. It was directed by Ian Barnes and written by Tom Bidwell. The film received lots of awards recognition including an Oscar nomination where it lost to the Australian "God of Love". But lets talk a bit about this one here. In the center of it, we have a young man named David (played by Samuel Holland) who is dying from cancer, but its tradition to fulfill people like him a last wish and his one is about having sex with a girl. This poses quite a challenger to Wishman Rory Kinnear (Bond movies) and Priest Jim carter (Downton Abbey). But maybe with humor and dedication, they may make his wish come true. For me, the only question really was who would be the girl for him. This is a film that thrives through comedy in misery. It entertains the audience by taking a desperate and truly tragic situation and still managing to bring fun and entertainment in the main character's life and thus in our lives too without ever neglecting the dramatic background. Still, it is much more a comedy than a drama, which is also shown by the fact that the film does not end with the main character dying, but with him having fulfilled his wish request. I enjoyed the watch. The cast is really good for a short film, even if the main actor did not break through (yet?). There's the people I already mentioned and there are more somewhat famous actors such as Goran Kostic for example. I recommend the watch. I must say I was not really laughing a whole lot and also wasn't really touched, but it still felt like a convincing little movie, even if I'd have given "God of Love" the Oscar as well. A little side-note before I finish my review: This one came out a year before "The Big C".

Well, I just got back from my yearly pilgrimage to see the nominees for the Best Live Action Academy Award. Compared to other years, this is an interesting field, as I actually liked all the films and see there being no clear winner. Usually I have at least a few of them I don't particularly like but this is a good crop...but there also is no clearly 'perfect' film as well. So, in light of this, my predicting that "The Confession" will be the most likely of the films to win is not at all certain--as I see this as mostly a three film race but any of the five could easily win.

"Wish 143" is very similar to "The Confession" in some ways--and I could easily see it win instead. Both films are from the UK, both are DEADLY serious films and both feature amazing performances by kids. In the case of "Wish 143", Samuel Peter Holland plays the part of a teenager exceptionally well. Whether or not Holland is actually a teen or not is uncertain, as IMDb has no information about him--but he plays a 16 year-old dying from cancer--a very demanding part.

The film begins with someone from a Make-a-Wish type organization asking this teen what sort of special wish he'd like. Instead of the typical trip to Disneyland or meeting with a celebrity, he makes a most unusual request--one the organization has no intention of granting. He wants to have sex once before he dies--and you wonder how many other kids have similar thoughts in this situation! The priest working at the hospital is quite sympathetic and he is exceptionally well-played by Jim Carter. He wants to help the boy but really has a problem with procuring sex for a teenager! Where all this goes next is probably not 100% realistic, but the acting and what eventually happens in the film is very emotionally-charged and touching.

Exceptional acting and direction, this film is well worth seeing and could well take the Oscar. My only hesitation is that "The Confession" and "Wish 143" have so many similarities that they might just work against each other and make room for another film to win (such as "God of Love"). I'll report back in a few weeks after the winner is announced to report on the outcome.

UPDATE: Wow, this never happens. I actually picked this category correctly. In a conversation I had with a friend who saw the films with me, I told him that although I thought "The Confession" was the best film that it and "Wish 143" were so similar in tone and style that "God of Love" would win. Insanely enough, "God of Love" won and I think my prediction was correct--something that NEVER happens!

I watched this film whilst on my lunch break at work and without saying too much, I was almost crying at my desk at the part where David (Sam Holland) is laying in bed with Maggie! Brilliant acting by all and I really didn't want it to finish! Although it was only a short film, you could really connect with the character being played by Sam and imagine what he is going through and to be able to grip the audience like he did is amazing. I think it is a well written piece in that the writers have dared to speak the unspoken and shed light on a topic that, whilst being considered to be taboo by most, is probably not uncommon at all. The fact that it is realistic makes it easier and more interesting to watch. The only part I didn't understand was why David's parents played no part? Hope to see more of the same from Sam Holland and co. very soon!

A cancer-suffering teenage boy has an understandable request to the Make-A-Wish Foundation: help his lose his virginity. His baldness and IV line attached to his chest don't make him likely to fulfill his greatest desire. Ironically, a priest arranges an escort to help him, and the kid decides he just wants to be caressed instead of being sexual. The dishonest ending detracts from what is an otherwise reservedly entertaining film. The Farrelly Brothers could make a much more amusing live action version of this one (and should). It needs a better sense of humour

Not Recommended