Year: 2009
Runtime: 24 mins
Language: English
Director: Ian Barnes
A fifteen‑year‑old named David, who has only months left to live, is granted a single wish by the Dreamscape Charity. Rather than typical wishes like a trip to Disneyland or meeting footballer Gary Neville, he asks for an hour alone with a naked woman, exposing his deep longing for intimacy and personal freedom before his time ends.
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David Sam Holland, a 15-year-old in the Cancer ward of a children’s hospital, is asked by a Dreamscape Charity representative about his biggest wish. He makes a bold, blunt request: his wish is to lose his virginity before he dies. The request shocks the representative and creates a minor media stir, which unsettles a hospital Priest who worries about the moral implications. David remains unwavering, insisting that losing his virginity is all he desires, not love or romance.
The situation prompts a stark confrontation between longing and faith. The Priest tries to steer him toward the idea that sex could be about love, but David again makes his position clear: safety, dignity, and a moment of human connection are what he seeks, not a romance. The tension between hope and despair threads through the hospital corridors as the story unfolds.
David later reconnects with his ex-girlfriend, Amy Chanel Cresswell. She confesses that she thinks of him often but is now dating someone else. She leaves a letter for him, which he pockets unread, and he slips away from the hospital to chase a desperate plan. In a red-light district, he tries to solicit a prostitute, only to be redirected by the woman toward using the money to buy something meaningful for his mother. The moment tips into chaos as he becomes overwhelmed, throwing bricks at passing cars until the police detain him. At the police station, the Priest questions his actions, and David bluntly explains his motive: “I wanted to see how low I could go.”
Back at the hospital, the Priest reads Amy’s unopened letter. In it, Amy explains that while she is touched by the idea of him, she cannot go through with it. She also writes that she hopes he gets better and, when he does, she believes he’ll find a real, loving partner. The Priest recognizes a grim truth that Amy does not: the cancer is spreading, and “getting better” may not be possible.
That night, the Priest unexpectedly retrieves David and takes him on a motorcycle to see a prostitute once more. He tells the girl that she is kind and gently reminds David that he does not have to do anything he doesn’t want to do. Inside the encounter, David speaks with a touch of vulnerability. The girl asks what he wants to do, and he asks her what she wants to do in return. She admits she has never been asked that before. She reveals her own scars, and David explains the medical scars he bears from treatment, while she shows hers. She reassures him that he is handsome and asks whether anyone touches him beyond doctors who monitor his vital signs. David says he is touched only by the medical staff, so he asks the girl to lie with him and simply hold him, which brings him to tears as she offers comfort.
The Dreamscape Charity representative returns, asking if there are any wishes left. A much calmer and more content David responds that he doesn’t need anything else. The representative shares a story about a child who chose a simple fishing trip with his uncle over a grand meeting with a sports team, illustrating that small, meaningful moments can matter more than grand gestures. With that, the rep leaves, and the film centers on a quiet realization: the genuine connection he sought has been found in the friendship and support of the Priest.
In the end, David discovers a deep, sustaining bond in companionship rather than a single act. He and the Priest spend a day together clay pigeon shooting, sharing a peaceful, uncomplicated moment that underscores the healing power of friendship in the face of illness. The story holds to a restrained, humane tone, portraying pain and desire with honesty while highlighting the importance of care, empathy, and human connection.
Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 11:24
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
Character-driven dramas that find grace and connection amidst life's harshest realities.Movies like Wish 143 that blend heavy emotional topics with a gentle, humane touch. If you appreciated the film's honest portrayal of terminal illness and its focus on finding connection, you'll find similar bittersweet and reflective stories here.
Stories in this thread typically follow a character confronting a profound personal challenge, such as illness or loss. The narrative unfolds at a deliberate pace, emphasizing character moments over complex plotting. The emotional journey often involves a shift from a raw, personal desire to a deeper understanding of human connection, leading to a poignant and bittersweet resolution.
These movies are grouped together because they share a core commitment to emotional authenticity, a bittersweet tone that balances sadness with hope, and a steady, character-focused pacing. They handle heavy themes with restraint, creating a deeply reflective and humanistic viewing experience.
Stories where young protagonists are forced to grow up quickly by facing their own mortality.If you liked Wish 143's portrayal of a teenager confronting death with unexpected maturity, explore these similar films. They feature young characters facing terminal illness, exploring deep themes of intimacy and legacy in their abbreviated coming-of-age journeys.
The narrative pattern centers on a teenage protagonist diagnosed with a terminal illness. The story follows their attempt to experience a core aspect of life—often love, intimacy, or freedom—that they fear missing. This quest leads to unexpected relationships and a deeper, more poignant understanding of themselves and their relationships with others, culminating in a emotionally resonant and mature conclusion.
Movies are grouped here based on the specific narrative arc of a teenager facing mortality, their unconventional desires for accelerated life experience, and the profound, often platonic, connections that form as a result. They share a vulnerable, somber mood and a straightforward dramatic structure.
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Discover movies like Wish 143 that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.
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