In today’s modern political climate, where billionaires are buying out media companies to serve at the whims of a presidential administration, there’s a certain courage from filmmaker Tommy Dorfman for telling a story that is wholly authentic to the important group of young people who don’t feel like they belong in this crazy new world. The result, I Wish You All the Best, is an incredible, kind-hearted coming-of-age story that deserves a watch.
I Wish You All the Best Review
Tommy Dorfman, who became a large star on Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why, has gone through a major public transformation, coming out first as gay, then non-binary, and then as transgender. This film feels like a sort of explainer, an act of radical empathy for those who may not understand what that experience is like, told with a gentle and confident hand.
The film stars Corey Fogelmanis, who hasn’t had a major role like this since Girl Meets World. He plays Benjamin “Ben” De Backer, a high school junior going through a difficult period in their life. After coming out as non-binary to their parents, they are cruelly thrown out of their family’s home.
Ben falls into the arms of their estranged older sister, Hannah (Alexandra Daddario), and her affectionate husband, Thomas (Cole Sprouse). The two serve as this loving embrace for Ben, who is navigating a new life. As they enroll in a new school, they meet new people, form new bonds, and experience falling in love for the first time with their new identity.
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In a lot of ways, films about the gay or transgender experience are often only about the trauma that those people face. While Dorfman is keen on explaining that these traits naturally come with experiences like coming out to conservative parents, she also doesn’t want to spend a lot of time focusing on those negative things. Instead, I Wish You All the Best puts a lot of effort into the people who are ultimately supportive and the positive impact they have.
At school, Ben falls in love with a bisexual guy named Nathan (Miles Gutierrez-Riley), who serves as his own refreshing and modern romantic interest. Nathan understands some of what Ben is going through and supports them through this entire process. Like so many students, Ben also finds an important mentor in their life, represented in this film by Ms. Lyons, affectionately played by Lena Dunham.
Ben’s parents, played by Amy Landecker and Judson Mills, are excellent in their portrayal of modern conservative parents. They ultimately fail in their roles by not being accepting and forcing Ben out of their house. Without going into too much detail, it is interesting to see how Dorfman handles these characters, neither giving them an easy out nor making them consistently despicable to the point of being unreasonable.
Importantly, the three lead performances from Fogelmanis, Daddario, and Sprouse are individually excellent. Fogelmanis, of course, has the world on his shoulders in this portrayal of Ben, and he succeeds in every way. He is funny and relatable, while also concealing immense emotion behind his eyes, which is enjoyable to watch.
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Daddario and Sprouse both offer a kind-heartedness and warmth that make I Wish You All the Best the feel-good experience that it is. They are older yet understanding people who do their absolute best, and it’s nice to see these two in roles that explore their charm. Daddario is warm and sweet, while Sprouse is funny but also reserved in a way that shows deep nuance in his performance.
The story leads us along a somewhat ordinary path of romance and self-discovery, but it all feels so authentic to the experience, which is undoubtedly due to Dorfman’s excellent script and direction. It stands out as something new, fresh, and charming.
Is I Wish You All the Best worth watching?
It’s an essential film for this modern era, one that will resonate with many young people who are still discovering their identities. In many ways, one of the greatest joys of filmmaking is the shared human experience and the opportunity to learn from others who pour their souls into art. Because every life has its quirks and ebbs and flows, that unique experience is always a joy to see on screen when it is told by somebody ready to bear it all. Dorfman is prepared, and it makes I Wish You All the Best a truly singular and vital experience.
I Wish You All the Best is in theaters on November 7.
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