Julia Stiles, a name that became synonymous with a rash of beloved early-2000s hits such as 10 Things I Hate About You and Save the Last Dance, has entered a new stage in her career-this time, as a director. After years of triumph as an actress, Stiles made her directorial premiere with Wish You Were Here, based on a novel by the same name that Renée Carlino wrote in 2017. It’s a very romantic drama concerning love, loss, and self-discovery that seemed to have placed a milestone mark in Stiles’s career and, at the same time, brought her in contact once again with longtime friend musician Vanessa Carlton.
Stiles, who has wanted to tell stories for as long as she can remember, had wanted to direct for years, but nothing quite fit. That changed when she came across Wish You Were Here, a story that felt connected right away. The film follows Charlotte, who has a whirlwind romantic tryst with Adam, only to find out in the morning that he is terminally ill. While showing the remainder of his days with her assistance, love and selflessness are confronted much deeper into their meanings than anything the movie will possibly contain.
About her, Stiles reports that “it is a pretty emotional story – not all sob-fest kind – there was plenty of balance with regards to humor and heartbreaking instances.” Above everything else, however, Stiles was impressed and so moved “to find in its optimism of spirits such novel yet bittersweet premise for telling. Stiles has said about her decision to direct, “It just felt like it had such a good spirit to it,” which is why she knew she had to bring it to the screen. A self-described romantic, the material struck a chord deep within Stiles, and it became clear-this was the project she’d been waiting for.
Directing Wish You Were Here also led Stiles to reflect on her own experiences as an actress. She joked that she found herself calling some of the directors she had worked with and apologizing for those times when she got frustrated. She said that having been a director, she understands what it’s like to work with actors on a deeper level. “I almost wanted to call some directors that I had worked with and be like, ‘I’m so sorry that I was annoyed with you when you told me to do that thing,'” Stiles said, self-aware of all of this. An appreciation for collaboration in filmmaking has come a long way after having it.
Much emotional core of the film came with its music which was an integral part of telling. That’s where Stiles’ reunion with longtime friend Vanessa Carlton comes in. Carlton, best known for her 2002 hit song “A Thousand Miles,” teamed up with her husband, John McCauley, to score Wish You Were Here. Working on the film’s soundtrack was a special and meaningful experience, as it allowed both women to bring their unique artistic talents together.
The friendship between Stiles and Carlton actually has survived several years, dating back to when the two first gained widespread recognition in the early 2000s. This bond, which started based on mutual respect and a shared understanding of pressures from public life, only grew stronger with time. The two women were photographed together at the screening of Wish You Were Here, beaming with joy and pride. Stiles wore a bold, satin jumpsuit as Carlton stood beside her, supporting her friend’s big moment. It was the reunion of two 2000s icons that was representative not only of their professional collaboration but also of the strong personal connection they continue to enjoy.
Carlton’s music lent a vital emotional layer to the film as her compositions perfectly complemented the themes of love and loss that run through the narrative. Stiles now praised Carlton for his ability to capture the essence of the story with music, saying the soundtrack was not just an accompaniment but an integral part of the storytelling process. The emotional depth of the music elevated the film and created a deep connection between the audience and the characters on screen.
Of course, director Stiles has made her interest in this new path clear, even as filming wrapped on Wish You Were Here. Though it was her first time behind the camera, the experience proved so satisfying she already hungers for another. She thinks about what a second film could be-a different kind of film, one that lets her have a different expression of her voice as a director.
The journey of direction has been transformative for Stiles, offering new insights into the art of filmmaking and deeper understandings of herself as an artist. She says that Wish You Were Here, in many ways, helped her rediscover her passion for storytelling-a passion she now hopes to explore in different forms. Whether in front of the camera or behind, Stiles is eager to proceed with her creative journey and to share her stories with the world.
Wish You Were Here is much more than just a debut film about Julia Stiles’ growth as an artist and just how deeply emotional a story she can tell to resonate with the audience. Thanks to the encouragement of her friend Vanessa Carlton, Stiles has produced a film that speaks to the heart-a tribute to friendship and collaboration. And as she keeps exploring other creative avenues, her work will continue to see daylight in the years to come.
