Common Sense Media Review
By Tracy Moore
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Well-shot, moving drama uplifting but has lots of tragedy.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Wish You Well
What's the Story?
The loss of their father in a car accident and their mother's resulting mental trauma leave Lou and Oz in the care of their great-grandmother, Louisa (Ellen Burstyn) in Virginia. There they learn to fit in, navigate school bullies, grieve their father's loss and mother's illness, and help to fight against the local coal mine's efforts to take their family's land.
Is It Any Good?
This is a bleak drama about a family enduring a number of tragedies -- the death of a father and a mother's illness -- and a great-grandmother's fierce determination to defend her land and legacy. In the midst are a number of dramatic encounters, from bullying and abusive parents to racist hatred and power grabs that favor the rich and well-connected over the honest and hard-working.
There's a lot to enjoy here, from the beautiful Virginia landscape to the lush cinematography, and the characters are tough, enduring types who don't seem to let much get them down. But you're still watching kids grieve the loss of their parents and find their way to a truth they can grab hold of, and the persistent heaviness that hangs over the film and its slow, unfolding pace will make it tough for most kids to sit through.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Wish You Well''s belief in miracles. Do you believe in miracles? Do you think what happened in this movie could really happen? Why, or why not?
How are race relations different now than they are in the time period of the movie? How are they the same?
Do you think Wish You Well accurately portrays the South during this time? Why, or why not?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : June 2, 2015
- Cast : Ellen Burstyn , Mackenzie Foy
- Director : Darnell Martin
- Inclusion Information : Black Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Entertainment One
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Adventures , Book Characters , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Animals
- Run time : 100 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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