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Poster for Wish You Were Here

Wish You Were Here

Some people march to the beat of a different drummer. Lynda’s got her own brass band.

1987 · 1h 32m · R Comedy, Drama, Romance
Directed by David Leland

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Overview

In a staid English seaside town after the Second World War, young Lynda grows up with her widowed father and younger sister. Rebellious Lynda has been swearing constantly from an early age. At sixteen, she becomes more exhibitionist and seeks out sexual encounters challenging the prevailing lower-middle class attitudes to sex. She eventually becomes pregnant by an acquaintance of her father.

Director and cast

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes

Top critics, in their words

All reviews
82%
Tomatometer
Fresh

Wish You Were Here is the story of Lynda's messy coming of age. It's a movie to cherish -- bouyant, affecting, one of a kind.

Jay Boyar, Orlando Sentinel
Fresh

As Lynda, the belligerent, exhibitionist daughter of a strait-laced British shopkeeper, Lloyd is electrifying. She's a foul-mouthed Hayley Mills.

Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer
Fresh

Just as Lynda's language is an affront to her neighbors, so is Leland's film an enthusiastic assault on the excessive gentility of so much British filmmaking.

Dave Kehr, Chicago Tribune
Fresh

Wish You Were Here may always be thought of as the movie that first gave us Emily Lloyd. Or as David Leland's first directing achievement.

Sheila Benson, Los Angeles Times
Fresh

What makes it interesting is the character of the heroine; her refreshing rudeness disconcerts those around her.

Variety Staff, Variety

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