Full credit to trans actor/filmmaker Tommy Dorfman, who, in their directing debut, had this world-weary reviewer constantly reaching for the Kleenex throughout the 90 mins. only to reach the closing credits, beaming like mad.  The reason is I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST, the story of a non-binary teenager who, after being kicked out of the house by their ultra-religious parents, embarks upon a journey of self-discovery.  Dorfman adapted it with Mason Deaver, the non-binary author of the original novel, which garnered reviews such as “At turns heartbreaking and joyous, I Wish You All the Best is both a celebration of life, friendship, and love, and a shining example of hope in the face of adversity.”

After 17-year-old Ben (Corey Fogelmanis) unsuccessfully attempts to come out to his parents, he ends up on the doorstep of his sister Hannah, who has been estranged from the family for some time now.  He finds a no-questions-asked unconditional welcome from Hannah (Alexandra Daddario) and Thomas (Cole Sprouse), her school teacher husband, who set out to give Ben the space to find their true self. whatever that may be.  We seem a little like voyeurs seeing Ben very gradually struggle to find out his true self, but it’s a stunning, underplayed performance by the exceptionally talented Fogelmanis that we find ourselves literally spellbound.

Actually he is not the only own who gives a revelatory  perfomance as Lena Dunham matchs him so beauifully as the very worldly art teacher who in their one-on-one-lessons always knows the right words to rally reach him.

Dorfman may have intended to get hooked on the underlying love story (and we do swallow that bait) but what  they also ended up with is a sensitive and subtle tale that will serve to help understand some of the journey that the Bens of the world need to undertake. It is also the perfect example to remind us that the queer coomunity should be the ones that are telling our own stories

The timing couldnt be more cruciial now as so many on the LGBTQA+ spectrum are facing the Adminstration’s determination to  completely destroy us 

Truely unmissable …. and please  encourage others to see it tool

10/10