First trailer for Zach Braff’s Wish I Was Here with Kate Hudson and Josh Gad

The first trailer for Zach Braff’s sophomore directing effort, WISH I WAS HERE, has arrived and features much of what you’d expect from the GARDEN STATE director; compelling shots, slow motion, odd behavior, and of course, a song from The Shins (“simple song”). The film, which originally made headlines because of Braff’s decision to use crowd-funding, debuted at Sundance this year and garnered mixed reviews (ours here). Fans of GARDEN STATE have waited 10 years for Braff to get back behind the camera (and to supply them with a new indie soundtrack). Hopefully, it's worth the wait.

Check it out:

Here's the synopsis:

'Wish I Was Here' is the story of Aidan Bloom, a struggling actor, father and husband, who at 35 is still trying to find his identity; a purpose for his life. He winds up trying to home school his two children when his father can no longer afford to pay for private education and the only available public school is on its last legs. Through teaching them about life his way, Aidan gradually discovers some of the parts of himself he couldn't find.

You can count me among the fans of GARDEN STATE, as well as Braff's blend of humor on the TV show Scrubs. He's had a bit of a low-profile on the big screen since the show ended, appearing as a talking money in OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL and playing a role in the stage production of Woody Allen's BULLETS OVER BROADWAY. His films may be an acquired taste for some, but I dig the indie vibe; the oddity of his work, coupled with a well-rounded soundtrack and off-kilter humor draws me in. Hopefully, he doesn't wait another ten years to give it another go behind the lens.

WISH I WAS HERE, starring Zach Braff, Kate Hudson, Joey King, Josh Gad, Mandy Patinkin, Ashley Greene, Jim Parsons, and Donald Faison opens in limited theaters on July 18, 2014.