A difficult child faces more challenges when her dotting mother dies, leaving dad and two daughters to carry on. After a brief mourning period for mom who'd but one line, the story quickly moves to the age of sexual awakening. Let's get right to it, eh? Set post-War in the English coastal community, it stars a 16-yr old Emily Lloyd in her first film role, one that brought her the National Society Best Actress trophy.
Called a comedy and patterned on the early life of a London madam, there is nothing funny about Wish, as loudmouth Lynda sprays insults like an angry sea surf, drenching anyone in range and spends most the film hiking her skirt in hope of cavorting with any cock that crows. Had writers developed the supporting cast beyond the lecherous projectionist / bookie played convincingly by Tom Bell (The-L-Shaped-Room) until he turns tearful teenager, injected sufficient charm (the psychiatric assessment comes closest) or made believability a purpose in place of the extended man-bash, Lynda's occasional woebegone would've solicited sympathy and the blessing that arrives at movie's end might've pleased rather than perplexed. My wish is that critics at release had not confused brazen behavior with artful acting and better understood the power of their flowery words which did Emily no favor as her career never took off. Unless you've an ax to grind with the gents, steer clear of this one (1.5/4).
Called a comedy and patterned on the early life of a London madam, there is nothing funny about Wish, as loudmouth Lynda sprays insults like an angry sea surf, drenching anyone in range and spends most the film hiking her skirt in hope of cavorting with any cock that crows. Had writers developed the supporting cast beyond the lecherous projectionist / bookie played convincingly by Tom Bell (The-L-Shaped-Room) until he turns tearful teenager, injected sufficient charm (the psychiatric assessment comes closest) or made believability a purpose in place of the extended man-bash, Lynda's occasional woebegone would've solicited sympathy and the blessing that arrives at movie's end might've pleased rather than perplexed. My wish is that critics at release had not confused brazen behavior with artful acting and better understood the power of their flowery words which did Emily no favor as her career never took off. Unless you've an ax to grind with the gents, steer clear of this one (1.5/4).