Wish I Was Here
Aidan Bloom, a struggling actor, father and husband, is 35 years old and still trying to find a purpose for his life. He and his wife are barely getting by financially and Aidan passes his time by fantasizing about being the great futuristic Space-Knight he'd always dreamed he'd be as a little kid. When his ailing father can no longer afford to pay for private school for his two kids and the only available public school is on its last legs, Aidan reluctantly agrees to attempt to home-school them. Through teaching them about life his way, Aidan gradually discovers some of the parts of himself he couldn't find.
The film disappointed at the box office against its tight budget of $5.5M, earning $5.5M globally (0% loss).
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Wish I Was Here (2014) reveals meticulously timed dramatic framework, characteristic of Zach Braff's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 47 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.7, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Aidan imagines himself as a space warrior in a fantasy sequence, establishing his escapist tendencies and unfulfilled dreams as a struggling actor while his wife Sarah supports the family.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Gabe reveals his cancer has returned and he can no longer afford to pay for the kids' private school tuition, forcing Aidan to face financial and parental responsibility.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 27 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Aidan commits to homeschooling his children despite having no plan or qualifications, marking his entry into the unfamiliar world of being fully present as a father and educator., moving from reaction to action.
At 54 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Aidan gets a callback for a significant acting role, offering false hope that he can have both his dream career and be present for his family. The stakes are raised as his father's condition worsens., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 80 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Aidan loses the acting role and Gabe's condition becomes terminal. His father, the one who always bailed him out, is dying, and Aidan must face that his escapist dreams have cost him precious time with family., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 86 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Aidan realizes that being present for his family - truly present, not just physically there - is more important than his dreams of stardom. He synthesizes that he can be creative AND be a father., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Wish I Was Here's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Wish I Was Here against these established plot points, we can identify how Zach Braff utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Wish I Was Here within the drama genre.
Zach Braff's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Zach Braff films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.5, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Wish I Was Here represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Zach Braff filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman. For more Zach Braff analyses, see Going in Style, Garden State.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Aidan imagines himself as a space warrior in a fantasy sequence, establishing his escapist tendencies and unfulfilled dreams as a struggling actor while his wife Sarah supports the family.
Theme
Aidan's father Gabe discusses the importance of being present for family and not living in a fantasy world, foreshadowing the central theme of choosing reality over escapism.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to Aidan's world: his struggling acting career, wife Sarah working to support them, two kids in private Jewish school paid for by Gabe, and Aidan's brother Noah living an unconventional lifestyle in a trailer.
Disruption
Gabe reveals his cancer has returned and he can no longer afford to pay for the kids' private school tuition, forcing Aidan to face financial and parental responsibility.
Resistance
Aidan debates what to do: send kids to public school or homeschool them himself. He visits the public school and is horrified. Sarah pushes him to make a decision while he clings to hope for his acting career.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Aidan commits to homeschooling his children despite having no plan or qualifications, marking his entry into the unfamiliar world of being fully present as a father and educator.
Mirror World
Deeper exploration of Aidan's relationship with Sarah, whose unwavering support and grounded nature contrast with his fantastical thinking, embodying the theme of choosing reality and presence.
Premise
The "fun" of homeschooling: unconventional field trips, teaching moments, bonding with his kids, while juggling auditions. Aidan explores what it means to be present while still chasing his dreams.
Midpoint
Aidan gets a callback for a significant acting role, offering false hope that he can have both his dream career and be present for his family. The stakes are raised as his father's condition worsens.
Opposition
Aidan's dual life becomes unsustainable: homeschooling suffers as he focuses on acting, Sarah grows frustrated with his lack of presence, his daughter rebels, and Gabe's health rapidly declines requiring more family attention.
Collapse
Aidan loses the acting role and Gabe's condition becomes terminal. His father, the one who always bailed him out, is dying, and Aidan must face that his escapist dreams have cost him precious time with family.
Crisis
Aidan processes his failure and impending loss. Dark night of confronting his selfishness, absence, and the reality that he's been living in fantasy while life passed him by.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Aidan realizes that being present for his family - truly present, not just physically there - is more important than his dreams of stardom. He synthesizes that he can be creative AND be a father.
Synthesis
Aidan makes peace with his father, repairs his relationship with Sarah and his children, and finds a way to honor both his creative spirit and his family responsibilities as Gabe passes away.
Transformation
Final image mirrors the opening space fantasy, but now Aidan's children join him in the imaginative play, showing he's learned to integrate creativity with presence rather than using fantasy as escape from reality.