A Simple Wish

A Simple Wish is a delightful and creative family movie released in 1997. The film stars the immensely funny Martin Short, the talented young actress Mara Wilson, and the charismatic Robert Pastorelli, each of whom adds their unique charm to the movie, making it enjoyable for all ages.

The plot of the film revolves around eight-year-old Anabel Greening, portrayed by the then eleven-year-old Mara Wilson, known for her roles in other popular family movies of the 1990s, such as 'Mrs. Doubtfire' and 'Matilda'. She’s a sweet, imaginative and lovable girl endowed with unlimited optimism and a strong determination for what she desires. The film unveils her life in the heart of New York City, living with her hard-working father Oliver Greening, potrayed by Robert Pastorelli, who’s a struggling actor and her older brother Charlie. A Simple Wish delves into her world of fantasy, which begins to become a reality when she stumbles upon the existence of fairy godparents.

In an unusual and comedic twist in the fairy tale genre, Anabel’s fairy godparent turns out to be a bumbling and incompetent male fairy Murray, who is humorously portrayed by Saturday Night Live alumni, Martin Short. When Anabel expresses her wish for her father to land a leading role in a Broadway musical, Murray’s magical efforts not only fail dramatically but also lead him to inadvertently turn her father into a statue.

The core of the film then revolves around Anabel and Murray’s adventurous journey to reverse the mistake, all while battling against a wicked former fairy godmother, Claudia, played by Kathleen Turner, and her sidekick Boots, portrayed by Amanda Plummer. These two villains have their evil plans, aiming to use wishes for their selfish purposes. Claudia, in particular, wants to be the most powerful fairy, and she attempts to steal all the magic wands to obtain unlimited magic.

The movie plays out splendidly with a mix of humor, fantasy, and drama that makes it entertaining to the young, and yet nostalgic to the adults. Although filled with typical fairy-tale elements like magic wands, spells, transformations, and quests, it stands out with its novel thematic twist; the movie portrays a world where fairy godparents also fumble, make mistakes, struggle with their wands, and yet try their best!

Martin Short's comic timing and physical humor shine in his role as the less-than-perfect fairy godparent. His duels, mishaps, and efforts to correct his blunders leave the audience in splits, while also making them empathize with his well-meaning, yet so often disastrous, attempts at magic.

Mara Wilson charms her way into the audience's hearts with her innocence and determination, bringing to life a character that is easy to root for. She displays a remarkable maturity in her role and successfully carries the film on her small but sturdy shoulders.

Robert Pastorelli impresses with his role as a loving father and struggling actor. Despite his relatively limited screen time due to his character's early transformation into a statue, he successfully portrays a character that adds to the aura of the family film.

The movie’s direction by Michael Ritchie complements the engaging story nicely, bringing out the best in the cast. With a lively musical score by Bruce Broughton that adds an extra layer of lightness and fun to every scene, it becomes a charming family movie perfect for a cozy night in.

On the whole, A Simple Wish is a hilarious, heart-warming, and thoroughly entertaining family movie that cleverly plays with the fairy tale norms. Its amusing storyline, charismatic performances, and imaginative content make it a perfect film for a family movie night. Both children and adults will enjoy the whimsy, humor, and imagination this movie brings in its unique interpretation of fairy godparents and magical misadventures. While giving the audience plenty of laughs, it also lightly tugs at the heartstrings and conveys the underlying message about the importance of family, love, determination and never giving up, no matter what. It's a hidden gem in the genre of 90s family movies, and a must-watch for fans of magic, humor, and heartwarming stories.