Ben DeBacker’s journey of self-discovery winds down an unlikely path. Kicked out of their home for coming out as non-binary, Ben is taken in by their estranged sister Hannah. She enrolls them in a new school, where Ben braces for the worst. But there, an unexpected community opens their arms.
Ben soon meets friends who see them for who they are, like the charmingly outgoing Nathan. Their art teacher, Ms. Lyons, becomes a guiding light, igniting Ben’s creative spirit. Even Hannah’s husband, Thomas, a teacher at the school, welcomes Ben with patience and good humor. Supported by this makeshift family, Ben dares to blossom into their authentic selves.
Adapted from the acclaimed novel, director Tommy Dorfman breathes life into Ben’s story with grace. In Dorfman’s skilled hands, what could have been a sobering tale becomes one of quiet triumph. Her uplifting vision highlights the power of living truly, as Ben finds that courage calls its own allies. Progress may come slowly, but love has a way of lighting the darkest paths when we embrace our truth and trust that others will meet us there.
Finding Their Place
Life takes an unexpected turn for Ben when they come out as non-binary to their conservative parents in small-town North Carolina. Faced with rejection, Ben finds themselves with nowhere to go late one night except to call their estranged sister Hannah for help. To Ben’s relief, Hannah welcomes them in without hesitation.
Hannah enrolls Ben at the local high school, where her husband Thomas teaches. On their first day, Ben braces for the worst—but instead meets Nathan, a charming classmate who introduces Ben to his friend group. Though quiet at first, Ben slowly begins to open up around Nathan, Sophie, and Meleika, feeling a sense of belonging with these other creative souls.
In art class, Ben’s talents are recognized by their teacher, Ms. Lyons. Played with warmth and wisdom by Lena Dunham, Ms. Lyons takes Ben under her wing. She encourages Ben’s artistic spirit while also listening without judgment as Ben shares their fears of not fitting in. Ms. Lyons helps Ben realize that authentic self-expression is the path to confidence.
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As Ben navigates school, their feelings for Nathan grow deeper. Nathan shows Ben kindness without concern for what others might think. When the two share a kiss, Ben feels joy in exploring this new relationship without having to explain or defend their identity.
However, Ben remains haunted by fears of disappointing their conservative parents. In a vulnerable moment, Ben lashes out at Thomas for not perfectly understanding non-binary identities. Later, Ben apologizes and finds Thomas committed to learning from his mistakes. Thomas’ acceptance helps persuade Ben that they have finally found a home with Hannah’s family.
With the support of friends old and new, Ben gains the courage to fully embrace living as their true self, no longer defined by the conditional love of those who first rejected them.
Owning Who You Are
This film belongs to Corey Fogelmanis. Their emotional performance as the non-binary teen Ben drives the entire story. From that harrowingly vulnerable first scene coming out to parents to slowly blossoming in a new home surrounded by love, Fogelmanis embraces each stage of Ben’s journey. Their ability to lay bare a character’s inner world through the subtlest facial expressions or body language is remarkably mature for such a young actor.
Fogelmanis makes sure every moment feels genuinely heartfelt. When Ben first reconnects with his sister Hannah, their buried longing for family shines through tentative smiles. Scenes with love interest Nathan flow with apathetic realism, as do tender discoveries of Ben’s burgeoning identity. This role was no easy task, but Fogelmanis accepted it with compassion. Their nuanced portrayal inspires hope that people of all orientations can embrace their fullest selves.
The co-stars complement Fogelmanis’ performance beautifully. Alexandra Daddario melts away her movie star polish to portray a sister regretful of past distance and determined to make Ben feel secure. Cole Sprouse lends humor and earnestness as Thomas, who learns how to uplift Ben as an educator should.
Lena Dunham, in particular, steals scenes as quirky art teacher Ms. Lyons. Beyond laughs, she imprints how an empowering mentor can shift a person’s life. Dunham injects her character with just the right dosage of care, eccentricity, and guidance to nurture Ben’s soul.
Miles Gutierrez-Riley matches Fogelmanis’ sincerity as Ben’s first real friend, Nathan. Their chemistry, as a sweetly developing couple, proves inclusion cultivates stronger relationships than intolerance ever could.
Thanks to a superb cast, this film shares a message we’d do well to embrace: that owning who you are with courage and compassion will always outweigh pandering to another’s narrow view. Fogelmanis’ living portrayal of Ben makes clear why this story, and theirs, deserves to be told.
Finding Hope
Tommy Dorfman displays a deft touch in translating Mason Deaver’s novel to the big screen. I Wish You All the Best could have centered on the harsh realities of Ben’s coming out. However, Dorfman chooses to focus on life after that pivotal moment and fills the story with hope.
She establishes Ben’s new home and school in a manner that invites the character and viewers to heal. Dorfman introduces supportive friends and teachers, seeing Ben for who he is. Through their guidance and friendship, Ben learns to embrace his identity. Rather than trauma, Dorfman populates the narrative with compassion.
Her direction draws us into Ben’s experience. Dorfman frames intimate close-ups, capturing every thought in Fogelmanis’ expressive performance. Their portrayal imbues Ben with delicate nuance, conveying each step with self-assurance. Broader shots reveal Ben relaxing in welcoming environments.
Subtle details show Ben’s journey. A wardrobe change sees them dressed in vibrant colors, celebrating their spirit. Interactions grow animated as Ben engages with those who accept them. Dorfman highlights these transformations to portray an LGBTQ story too often left untold—one of developing comfort within oneself.
The gentle intimacy of Dorfman’s lens holds nothing back yet sensationalizes nothing. She represents queer stories as naturally as any other. I Wish You All the Best resonates because its hope feels truthful. Dorfman understands that embracing your authentic self need not arise from despair but from community. Her skilled adaptation and direction share a message for us all: that love and acceptance empower us to be our fullest, most joyful selves.
Heart and Soul
It’s refreshing to see a film both led and created by those within the community it represents. I wish you all the best places. non-binary actor Corey Fogelman is front and center, adapting the experiences of Mason Deaver to on-screen under the guidance of trans filmmaker Tommy Dorfman. Rather than focusing on tragedy, they craft a story highlighting the heart and soul of queer youth.
Fogelmanis immerses us in Ben’s journey, conveying emotion with subtlety and grace. We feel Ben’s anxiety yet also their slow flowering under support’s sunshine. Their portrayals of inner turmoil and hard-fought smiles feel authentic, portraying the messy complexity of self-discovery. Dorfman aids this with deft touches like changes in Ben’s attire, showing their growing comfort.
While exploring heavier themes, the film remains heartening. It celebrates found families and first loves, showing queer stories can be joyous, not just painful. Ben may face struggles, but they are uplifted by compassion. We witness care’s power through Hannah, Thomas, Nathan, and teachers like the wonderfully eccentric Ms. Lyons, brought to vibrant life by Lena Dunham.
The film speaks to today’s youth through language and music. It seamlessly weaves terms like “they/them” into natural dialogue, representing today’s advancing discussions. And its selection of artists like King Princess places it squarely within progressive circles. But these Generation Z elements feel organic, lending an authentic youthfulness rather than feeling forced.
I Wish You All the Best focuses not on drama but on illuminating lives too often unseen on screen. By prioritizing heart over hardship, it tells queer stories of hope rather than just endurance. Its messages of self-acceptance and compassion will resonate with all audiences. Most importantly, it provides role models for those still questioning, reminding them that joy is theirs to find.
Families of Choice
I Wish You All the Best tells a story that will resonate with many. At its heart, it’s about the families we find and the love that helps us become who we are.
Ben has faced pain no one should feel—rejected by those who should accept them most. Yet just when the world seems darkest, new lights appear. Ben’s sister Hannah and her husband Thomas open their homes and hearts without hesitation. They see not what Ben was born as but who they are—their kindness kindled Ben’s first tastes of joy in this hard new chapter.
Nor does the promise end there. Ben finds community where they aim to teach—in Ms. Lyons’ classroom and the friends flocking to their side. Each smiling face greeting Ben is a message: You have so much wonderfulness to share. You are deserving, not just of classmates but of confidants, to ease the heavy load of self-discovery.
The most profound is Ben’s romance with Nathan. Their bond grows from simple smiles into something nourishing both spirits in ways rare at any age. In Nathan’s gaze and gentle words, Ben glimpses how love’s understanding can help one feel free.
Yes, this is a story of the rejections some must brave to truly live. But it is also a tribute to humanity’s ability to redeem loss with compassion. By the story’s end, it is family in its diverse forms—not blood alone—that allows Ben’s inner beauty to take flight.
Through the hope found in Hannah, Thomas, Ms. Lyons, and so many more, Ben learns that home and belonging can be crafted by any hand offering shelter to the soul. Some seeds may fall on stone, but from families of choice, as this film shows so well, life’s sweetest joys can bloom.
New Pathways to Understanding
With I Wish You All the Best, Tommy Dorfman has carved out a new path forward for queer stories on screen. While other LGBTQ-focused films have told vital tales, more remain to be shared, and audiences have so much yet to learn.
Ben’s journey shows how even those closest can fail to grasp identities unlike their own. Yet empathy prevails as the new family embraces Ben without demand for explanation. Their love opens pathways for self-acceptance.
We witness Ben’s first romance, a gentle blossoming between teens exploring who they are together. Their caring brings hope that future youths may discover this part of life’s beauty without fear of rejection.
Dorfman treats each character and each moment with the utmost humanity. No aspect feels sensationalized or used to stir superficial emotion. Her focus remains on showing life as non-binary people live it—a life deserving respect.
For all who feel unseen, Ben’s story resonates loudest. But their triumph echoes for all of us as we chart new frontiers in representation. By experiencing this film, we take a small step toward understanding our shared future demands. Its truths may touch even those who are skeptical, reminding us of our ability to walk in another’s shoes.
In Ben, we see that joy is born when one lives as their authentic self, surrounded by people who are committed to doing the same for people of all identities. That is a future worth striving for.
The Review
I Wish You All the Best
I Wish You All the Best tells a profoundly moving story with deep compassion. At its heart lies an inspiring message of self-acceptance, supported by sincere, well-drawn characters. Director Tommy Dorfman handles complex issues surrounding gender identity with astonishing care, crafting an intimate portrayal of forging one's path to truth and happiness. While not without flaws, the film's abundant humanity and importance far outweigh any minor missteps. For opening cinematic doors to new understanding, it deserves applause.
PROS
- Poignant and moving exploration of self-identity and coming-out experience
- Compassionate representation of non-binary and LGBTQ characters
- Strong performances, particularly from Corey Fogelmanis
- Heartwarming depiction of found family and romantic love
- Promotes themes of acceptance, empathy, and authenticity.
CONS
- The pacing and structure as overly sentimental at times.
- Potential for certain emotional beats to feel contrived
- Lack of adversity or challenges facing the main character
