‘I Wish You All The Best’ Review – A Heartfelt Coming-Of-Age Film About Identity, Acceptance, And Chosen Family

The most courageous act in life is showing up in the world as one’s authentic self. Not everyone will understand or approve, but with a few true friends by one’s side, it’s possible to weather any storm life brings. Identity, self-acceptance, and family, both by blood and the family one chooses, play a huge role in writer and director Tommy Dorfman’s directorial debut, I Wish You All The Best.

Adapted from Mason Deaver’s 2019 YA novel, I Wish You All The Best follows the story of non-binary teenager Ben DeBacker (Corey Fogelmanis), who is kicked out of his home after revealing he’s non-binary to his conservative parents. Thankfully, he’s taken in by his long-lost sister, Hannah (Alexandra Daddario), and her husband, Thomas (Cole Sprouse), who offer him acceptance and a fresh start. At his new school, Ben is quickly befriended by the kind and witty Nathan (Miles Gutierrez-Riley), and guided in the development of their burgeoning artistic abilities by the school’s whimsical art teacher, Ms. Lyons (Lena Dunham). It’s while in this new environment that Ben is able to imagine and begin building a future that is centered around self-love and acceptance.

I Wish You All The Best is a film akin to the Netflix series Heartstopper in its tone. Yes, the LGBTQ characters face prejudice; however, the story wisely chooses to center the story on the characters’ joy and journey of self-discovery. It’s a heartfelt and moving choice that threads the message of hope throughout the film’s run. Fogelmanis, who is mostly known for his supporting role on another Netflix teen drama, My Life With The Walter Boys, portrays the shy and fragile Ben with so much heart and vulnerability that viewers will instantly feel protective of the character.

One amazing feat is how Fogelmanis infuses Ben’s character development into the character’s posture and facial expressions. In most films, we’d see a character’s wardrobe change as an outward representation of growing confidence and strength. While that does happen here, Fogelmanis’s Ben also begins to walk with their head held up and holds eye contact during difficult conversations. It’s a small detail that many filmmakers and actors forget when portraying character growth, but here, it makes all the difference. It’s a testament to Fogelmanis and director Tommy Dorfman’s dedication to making this story and the portrayal of Ben feel realistic.

Miles Gutierrez-Riley does a decent enough job as the supportive and flirty Nathan. A sweet love story plays out; however, Nathan comes across as a little too perfect. It would have been nice to go home with the character, so to speak, to see what his home life and relationship with his family members are like. The film does give him the ambition of becoming a writer, but it doesn’t really do much with it. That being said, Gutierrez-Riley does what he can with the material he’s given. Nathan is instantly likable and proves to be the caring first brush with love that Ben deserves.

Daddario and Sprouse both do well enough in their roles as Ben’s supportive sister and brother-in-law. Both have their own history of starring as leads in teen dramas like this, so seeing them as parental figures in this film can be a little jarring at first. Daddario does a great job of embodying the concerned and devoted older sister who just wants to protect her younger brother from the same trauma she experienced. Hannah struggles with the fact that, in fleeing from her parents’ home, she unintentionally fled from her younger brother’s life for a decade. She tries to make amends while also having to address her own emotional scars. While it’s understandable that more of her backstory and experience with the DeBacker parents couldn’t be explored because of the runtime, the film does suffer from the lack of that fully realized subplot. That being said, Daddario does a good enough job with what she’s given. The same can be said about Sprouse, whose character Thomas is a lovable goofball, but accepting of his wife and all that comes along with her family’s drama.

Although Lena Dunham’s Ms. Lyon is seemingly nothing more than comedic relief, she offers Ben much-needed words of wisdom about art and life when it’s the most needed. The character is funny and a reminder that so many outsiders in the world are saved by their high school art teachers.

Although it’s not without its flaws, I Wish You All The Best is an endearing coming-of-age film about finding the strength to be oneself in a world that expects conformity. The film reminds young adults and adults alike to seek out their proverbial tribe and find the courage to be their authentic selves.

I Wish You All The Best is currently playing in select theaters courtesy of Lionsgate.