What We Wished We Could Be

What We Wished We Could Be is set around the deadly effects of the contaminated blood scandal that plagued the UK during the 1970s to the early 1990s, and the fatal impact this has on a couple. The two are faced with a difficult situation when an offer of life-saving treatment may potentially impact their dreams for the future. While the contaminated blood scandal had a significant impact on the UK, it isn’t something that many people are aware of. The piece isn’t just informative about it; it forces the viewer to experience the harshness of the bleak subject matter. The tone of the film can almost feel too devastating at times due to the severity of the situation the couple faces; however, there is also much beauty to be found in the two outstanding central performances from Jamie Muscato and Anoushka Lucas. Even with its minimal runtime, you almost grasp the pain they're going through and the love they have for one another. Even with their world falling apart, it's incredibly tragic and emotionally overwhelming at times. The visual storytelling is another factor that plays into the way the narrative unfolds and also does a lot of heavy lifting in the emotional resonance within sequences with no dialogue.

The piece is beautifully shot on 16mm, which adds to the grittiness of the narrative with the film grain dancing across each frame. It makes the experience feel timeless and pristine in its presentation while also fitting the time period and tone of the film incredibly well. The black and white photography in portions of the musical sequences is also fantastic. Another major standout of the piece is the musical score. While it is understated and low-key, it still manages to aid the moments of melancholy and loneliness the characters endure, and really adds to the emotional engagement as a viewer and is another example of the film's technical standouts. While the narrative is fairly straightforward and simple, at times it can feel confused and harder to follow due to the protagonist's states of mind changing when it places you in their point of view; some viewers may find this disorienting. The piece does flow at a steady pace, although the entirety of the narrative is profoundly engaging due to the performances and chemistry of the two leads.

One of the main things that is surprising about the film is when it cuts to dream-like musical sequences, which is a bold creative risk within a fairly grounded narrative. However, it works astoundingly well due to Jamie Muscato’s amazing vocal range, which may bring viewers to a deeply heartwarming experience in these moments. Anoushka Lucas is really where the heart and soul of the film lies, as she portrays the heartache and desperation both characters follow and attempts to bring light to the dreams they both wish to fulfil. The piece truly presents the consequences both characters unfortunately face due to horrific circumstances through no fault of their own. Thematically, the film portrays the strength of love and sacrifice, and the depths of these feelings within a time of uncertainty. The resilience that both characters require to continue living whilst in this state is incredibly tough to experience as a viewer, but immensely important to witness, so the people responsible are held accountable for the lives that were affected by this horrific scandal.

What We Wished We Could Be is a powerful story that is both thematically rich in its messaging and incredibly well shot and scored. An uncompromising tale of the power of love between two individuals in the most uncertain time of their lives. Hopefully, the piece can reach a broader audience. This is such an important topic that is sadly not discussed enough in the mainstream media. Director Luke Shelley really brought an eye-opening light to the history of the contaminated blood scandal and the lives that were sadly lost due to the careless behaviour of politicians and medical professionals.