Woodyanders Review of Wish You Were Here

Wish You Were Here (1987)

Emily Lloyd excels in this smart and charming teen coming of age winner

[9/10 · 4 July 2012]

Sassy and defiant 16-year-old nonconformist Lynda Mansell (a wonderfully brash and vibrant performance by the adorable Emily Lloyd) lives her life defying the norm and gleefully shocking the uptight locals in the staid seaside hamlet she resides in. Her long-suffering conservative father Hubert (well played by Geoffrey Hutchings) disapproves of Emily's outrageous antics. Moreover, Emily is forced to deal with the potentially harmful consequences of her mischievous behavior after she's impregnated by seedy older fellow oddball Eric (a superbly intense portrayal by Tom Bell). Writer/director David Leland expertly crafts a perfectly pitched blend of touching drama and uproariously brazen comedy that benefits tremendously from a flavorsome evocation of the 1950's period setting, an equally astute depiction of the repressive mores of said stuffy era, and a wealth of hilariously racy lines ("Up your bum!"). Moreover, Leland wisely keeps mawkish sentiment at bay and refuses to pass judgment on any of the characters. Best of all, the radiant and appealing Lloyd simply shines as lovable free spirit Lynda, whose tart veneer masks a scared inner vulnerability and rebellious nature stems from the death of her mother when she was eleven as well as a fierce disdain of the status quo and a deep-seated need to assert one's own individuality in a drab world of stifling conformity. Kudos are also in order for Ian Wilson's postcard pretty cinematography and Stanley Myers' stately score. A lovely, moving, and frequently funny gem.