The Third Wish (2005) User Reviews (11)

Found a copy of this movie at the local library...

[ninjacatprincess · 5/10 · 1 July 2007]

I found a copy of this movie at the local library. The title and the advertising seemed interesting so I borrowed it.

Unfortunately, I can see why the movie went "STRAIGHT TO VIDEO"! First, the lead actress (Jenna Mattison) simply does not have the "spark" necessary to carry this movie. If I'm not mistaken, I think she may have had a role in writing some of it which explains how she may have been cast as the lead but she cannot carry this movie.

I find it hilarious when the lead character makes a reference to Julia Roberts of Pretty Woman in this movie. It seems Ms. Mattison spends way too much of her time trying to mimic Ms. Roberts without trying to figure out what talents or gifts Ms. Mattison can bring to the screen.

Synopsis/Spoiler Alert: Ms. Mattison plays Maggie Malone, a woman quite content with living life the way it is as a book store clerk. She no longer believes in love but has always had 1) a love for magic and 2) a desire to fly in a plane and other wishes (important later).

One day while working at the book store, Maggie discovers a copy of Great Expectations. Like one of the characters in the book, Maggie gets a "benefactor" (someone who does good things for her secretly on the condition she does not try to find out the identity of the individual).

The benefactor turns out to be Maggie's biological father (played by veteran actor Armand Assante). Maggie had been given up for adoption when she was about 5 years old. Her mother had been killed and her biological father felt ill-equipped to provide care for her. The biological father placed Maggie in an orphanage with nuns to care for her and Maggie's only memory of her father was the fact that he entertained her with magic tricks. Once on his feet, Maggie's father attempted to contact the orphanage and reclaim his daughter but the orphanage would not allow it. Maggie's father went on to become a very wealthy businessman with one wish: to get his daughter back into his life. He does so by hiring a dashing lawyer to "make all of Maggie's dreams come true" by being the benefactor's agent.

Maggie gets a $5 million bank account, a fancy car, a beautiful penthouse and her biggest dream of all: her own book published since she's an aspiring writer. However, Maggie must never know where the money is coming from or she will forfeit everything. It turns out the benefactor's agent falls in love with Maggie and has a change of heart -revealing the benefactor's identity.

While this sounds like an interesting plot, the execution of this plot is poor. First, it's a shame to see the talents of veteran actors James Avery, Armand Assante, Betty White and Mindy Cohn wasted. The actors could have brought more dept to their roles if they had been given "meatier" roles.

Second, this movie was marketed as a "family movie". I'm still trying to figure out why because the themes are very sophisticated: fear, abandonment, love, etc. This movie is actually pretty "deep" but it was poorly marketed. I'm guessing someone saw the word "wish" and thought "oh, kids do this all the time...let's make this a family movie" but it doesn't quite work out that way.

In short, I cannot recommend this movie. The lead actress cannot carry the role, veteran actors are wasted and the themes are too sophisticated to be packaged into a sweet, syrupy family movie.

One of the worst

[smcfallsmom-626-741459 · 1/10 · 6 March 2013]

It's hard to believe that these people took the time and money to make such a bad movie. The premise could have been good - but it was ruined by terrible script writing and casting. So much was wrong with it, that I kept yelling at the screen on my TV. I kept hoping it would get better and watched the whole thing. One of the worst I have ever seen. No one - not one soul on this earth would have reacted as this character did when given $5 million and a penthouse. Most of the movie was boring in between being ridiculous to the point of disgust. Every line that the lead said and everything she did was unbelievable and stupid. It's also hard to believe that Armand Assanti and Betty White read this script before agreeing to act in this movie.

Clichéd, colossal waste of time

[madscientist30013 · 1/10 · 4 May 2012]

For some reason the Big Red Envelope company recommended this piece of tripe to us as something we would like. What a heap of moronic clichés. I won't even hint at the plot line or you would figure it out instantly like I did. I kept waiting for a twist or at least something original, but to no avail. The lead character, played by Jenna Mattison, is easily the most annoying women I've ever seen on screen. The sad thing is, she is supposed to be cute and endearing. And what's with the freakishly huge mouth and the constant smiling, even while telling the tragic story of her early childhood? As a fan of Mystery Science Theater I've sat through some awful pieces of cheese, but this one really got under my skin.

Okay, it is not the best.

[ENCOPRESIS3 · 2/10 · 12 September 2005]

Well, The writing in this title is EXCELLENT for a class of 5 year olds, Why is this movie so "staged" feeling to me? The main character mattison is very unbelievable, so happy-go-lucky and happy in her own little un-perfect world.

The plot is so typical for a young pre-highschool girl audience and doesn't flow well at all. Every subject and idea in this title are spoon-fed to you as if you had no idea of life itself. I think this is the most boring movie I have seen in some time. I believe that the fact that a lot of this title was funded by the main actress who is also the writer leads to its bland taste. No studio would have ever picked this up. Matty should have mellowed her over the top acting and it would have been a bit better but the whole plot was just lame.

The continuity on the set was horrifying, i.e. check the boom box handle when the guy is outside her window playing her the song.

the "Gilmore girls" style of quick snappy conversations is really obnoxious as well.

Overall I would recommend painting your house instead of watching this title.

Impossible to watch

[pplluk · 1/10 · 11 June 2013]

I did try to keep watching to see if it would get better, but it didn't. The acting, the script, impossible. If it's considered a family movie it is to contribute to a retarded society. Sorry but I really was annoyed and felt cheated. Anything that I can say further to this movie will be much worse. The overacting of the main characters, the forced scenes in many situations putting the characters in an apparently very uncomfortable situation. I recommend not to see it if you don't want to be annoyed; some many clichés and pour copies of other movies. I kept imagining how could it be less worse, change the actors to begin with, bad acting!!and bad acting it's also bad directing, so change the direction to. Maybe it would be possible but I doubt!!!

Worst film I've ever watched.

[heavenstobetsy2013 · 1/10 · 26 March 2013]

Made the mistake of watching this on Netflix before reading any reviews. It seriously was the worst film I have ever had the misfortune of watching.

The storyline was ridiculous; the actors were appalling. Sean Macguire I think was attempting to emulate Hugh Grant, but fell flat on his face. The female lead seemed to think she was Julia Roberts - she wasn't. Her ditsy, cutesy persona was incredibly irritating.

I actually turned the film off after an hour, I couldn't bear it any longer.

One hour of my life I can never get back

Your eyes and brain will need bleaching

[kristensteale · 27 September 2011]

I watched this movie with my eight year old son who thought the movie sounded awesome from the description. What a waste of a DVD rental. Half way through this movie, we switched it off. I believe my sons exact words were "Mum this movie is lame, I hate it".

Maggie Malone was one of the worst characters in cinematic history; I found not one part of her endearing. The movie tries hard to make her seem kind, optimistic and well liked. Her landlord and boss seemingly accept the fact that she is not paying her rent and turns up late for work every day, that is if she does turn up for work. In fact her landlord offers her a meal after telling her she is months behind in her rent.

If you have seen the movie Pretty Woman then this movie has pretty much ripped off many of the scenes. As one reviewer mentions, there is one particular part where she makes reference to Pretty Woman, and then proceeds to mirror the scene in the b grade style that reeks throughout this movie.

We constantly hear throughout the early stages of the movie that she does not believe in love. However, it does not take her long to start making doe eyes at the lawyer, hired to help her spend her inheritance. One scene she takes the office bound Lawyer on a bike ride, once again the similarities of Pretty Woman appearing in this unoriginal script. I can't believe this movie was even made. I cringe as I relive the scenes, I wish there was a way where I could forget it.

An engaging cast and a fine concept make up for the film's somewhat erratic execution

[inkblot11 · 7/10 · 21 February 2013]

Maggie (Jenna Mattison) is a free-spirited, aspiring writer in San Francisco. Although the city is a very expensive place to live, Maggie has two advantages over others. First, she doesn't own a car, being able to bicycle to work at a used bookstore. Second, her landlord adores her, so if she is late on the rent, at times, he doesn't evict her. Her only companion is a cat, for Mags doesn't want a romance in her life whatsoever. You see, her mother died when she was four and her father promptly gave her up for adoption. Her heart still stings, badly. She does have some galfriends, who are married ladies with busy agendas, and she is close to her boss, Lettie (Betty White), even though they work different shifts. O lucky day, however, when our Maggie uncovers an Aladdin type lamp in a desk at work. Rubbing it, she makes some wishes. Not long after this, in a very ancient copy of Great Expectations, Maggie first finds a ticket to a magic show. Then, a flight pass for a birdseye view of the city arrives next. There, two wishes granted. But, while waiting for the third, a handsome gentleman, Brandon (Sean Maguire) comes to the store and announces that Maggie has a secret "benefactor". Soon after, with Sean's help, Mags gets new clothes, a posh car, even a new apartment. But, the one thing Maggie can't learn is WHO the Daddy Warbucks-type really is. It's forbidden, Brandon says. Moreover, along with her other lucky new acquisitions, Maggie may be getting a romantic admirer in Brandon. Will she let a man into her heart? Finally, will her benefactor ever appear? This modern take on the Dickens classic GE has its charm, mostly due to its engaging leads. Mattison is a vibrant rebel while Maguire, who resembles Guy Pearce, is quite fine as her seeming opposite. White, as usual, is her great lovable self while the supporting cast, including Armand Assante, is nice as well. Then, too, the setting is great, as the Golden Gate City is wonderfully attractive, while costumes and photography keep pace. Therefore, the movie's weak points are its uneven script and direction. From one scene to the next, the action goes from sublime to somewhere above ridiculous but nowhere near successful. Nonetheless, fans of romantic comedy will adore it and, as the target audience, they will overlook any deficiencies.

Terrible Movie... Seriously, pass this one up

[jennshe · 1/10 · 25 August 2014]

What a terrible movie and a huge waste of time! The star is trying too hard to create a happy-go-lucky mash up between a Julia Roberts type character in Pretty Girl and a serious Rene Russo. She looks much older than her leading man (i.e., her face looks like she's had a lot of work done and not very good work at that. There is very little romantic chemistry between her and the male lead. Armand Assante plays his role like a mafia kingpin. I couldn't help waiting for him to say bada-bing, then shoot somebody.

Watch this movie at your own peril. I would not recommend this movie to anyone. I'm not surprised I have never heard of the lead actress. After this film, she probably didn't work much.

Exactly as it should be...

[mjchaffee-1 · 10/10 · 1 February 2007]

Clearly I am not the target audience on this one... and I will cop to the fact that I do know and love the actress/writer... so one can probably discard my opinion as biased... but the truth is, this was not really a movie made for me. I gave a copy to my niece... who now has every line memorized. She gave it to my other niece for Christmas who is now old enough to appreciate it. They have shared it with friends. My mother loves it. Her words "finally something for the kids that doesn't force them to grow up too fast." The movie is an intended family piece about love and insecurity and hopes and dreams. To slander it... to have any issue with it as a movie... or a creative endeavor... or to even simply state that you don't like it, well... then... you would have to be something of a puppy kicker. It is exactly as it should be... and knowing that, you can't not like it.

If you pulled this one off the shelves and were so impassioned to go online and write a comment about it, good or bad... well, you're either 14 or you need a life.

Loved it!=)

[tonimoon42 · 10/10 · 9 February 2012]

I went into this movie not expecting Jane Eyre and that's okay because what I did see was thoroughly delightful. The only thing missing was myself as Maggie. It was fun, mysterious, light-hearted, and had sweet references to movies and people that mattered to me when I was a teen. I will always smile when I think of this film. Maggie is a delightful character and fun to watch. Betty White is perfect for the book shop owner. It is also nice to see San Francisco in a film where no one was getting shot or had police or detectives running around hunting a serial killer. It was great to just get lost for a little in a film that leaves you smiling. Thank you!=)