A Simple Wish

**A Simple Wish** is a 1997 American children's fantasy-comedy film directed by Michael Ritchie.

The film was released by Universal Pictures on July 11, 1997.

## Plot

Eight-year-old Annabel Greening (Mara Wilson) hopes that her father, Oliver (Robert Pastorelli) gets the lead role in a new musical. When fairy godmother Murray (Martin Short) is sent to help her, he accidently turns Oliver into a statue in Central Park. Meanwhile, the evil Claudia (Kathleen Turner), who has been forbidden to use magic to her greed, seeks revenge.

## Cast

* Mara Wilson as Annabel Greening
* Martin Short as Murray
* Kathleen Turner as Claudia
* Robert Pastorelli as Oliver Greening
* Francis Capra as Charlie Greening
* Amanda Plummer as Boots
* Ruby Dee as Hortence
* Teri Garr as Rena
* Alan Campbell as Tony Sable
* Jonathan Hadary as Lord Richard
* Deborah Odell as Jeri
* Jack McGee as Officer York

## Production

Principal photography for "A Simple Wish" took place from July 22, 1996 to October 26, 1996. Filming took place in Brooks, Alberta, Canada; New York City; Pawhuska, Oklahoma; and Scugog, Ontario, Canada.

In an interview with the Nostalgia Critic, Mara Wilson stated that production of the film was a very hard time for her due to the recent death of her mother, Suzie. She claims to have some regrets over her behavior on the set, describing her mind set as *"being in a bad place."*

To this day, Wilson has little recollection of making "A Simple Wish" due to the depression that she faced following the loss of her mother, adding that she shouldn't have been making a film at that time.

Glenn Close and Cathy Moriarty were considered for the role of Claudia which ultimately went to Kathleen Turner.

## Box Office

"A Simple Wish" grossed $2,732,880 during its opening weekend. Overall, it grossed only $8,345,056 on an estimated budget of $28,000,000.

## Critical Reception

"A Simple Wish" received negative reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has an approval rating of 25% based on 16 reviews with an average rating of 44.40\10.

Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times gave the film a rating of one and a half stars, saying: *"When family audiences avoid inspired films like The Secret Garden, The Little Princess and Shiloh, why would they choose a pallid exercise like this?"*

Lawrence Van Gelder of the New York Times wrote: *"A Simple Wish" may be about magic, but it is far from magical."*

Ruthe Stein of the San Francisco Chronicle said that it *"feels as if it's been pasted together from numerous superior bits of fiction."*

The San Francisco Examiner said: *"A Simple Wish," which does indeed have good special effects, is miles below anything Disney makes. It's a no-brain film based on the supposition that kids will like anything. Here's hoping they're wrong."*

Janet Horwitz from The Washington Post called the film a *" comedy nearly devoid of laughs"* and *"a children’s story bereft of emotion."*

## Awards

**Young Artist Awards** (1998)

* Best Performance in a Feature Film (Leading Young Actress): Mara Wilson [**Winner**]

**Saturn Awards** (1998)

* Best Performance by a Younger Actor\Actress: Mara Wilson [*Nominated*]

**YoungStar Awards** (1998)

* Best Performance by a Young Actress in a Comedy Film: Mara Wilson [*Nominated*]