Watch Wish Me Away

Wish Me Away is a 2011 documentary film about the country singer Chely Wright, who made headlines in 2010 when she became the first major country music star to publicly come out as gay. Directed by Bobbie Birleffi and Beverly Kopf, the film follows the lead-up to Wright's announcement and the aftermath, as she grapples with the reaction from fans, fellow musicians, and the country music industry at large.

The film begins with a series of candid interviews with Wright, in which she talks about growing up in a small town in Kansas and her early years in the country music business. As a young woman, Wright struggled with her sexuality, feeling isolated and alone in an industry that prized traditional gender roles and heterosexual relationships. Over time, she came to accept herself and began to explore her sexuality more openly, even as she continued to present herself as a straight, conservative country artist.

The turning point came in 2010, when Wright decided to come out publicly in a series of high-profile interviews and in her memoir, Like Me. The film follows Wright as she prepares for and goes through with the interviews, detailing the complex decision-making process and the emotions involved. Throughout the film, we see not just Wright's personal journey, but also the larger cultural and political context in which she is operating. The film includes interviews with activists, journalists, and other musicians, who discuss the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ artists in the conservative world of country music.

One of the more striking aspects of the film is its portrayal of the backlash and negativity that Wright faced in the wake of her announcement. While she received support from fans and some fellow musicians, she also faced significant pushback, including death threats, cancelled tour dates, and a general sense of ostracism from many in the country music community. The film does not shy away from this darker side of Wright's experience, and it is often difficult to watch. At the same time, however, the film also highlights the resilience and courage that Wright displayed in the face of such adversity, and the positive impact that her coming out had on many LGBTQ people who looked up to her as a role model.

Throughout the film, we also see how Wright's coming out affected her relationships with friends and family members, many of whom were initially shocked and unsure how to react. The film includes touching scenes of reconciliation and forgiveness, as well as moments of strained and emotional conversation. Perhaps most movingly, we see Wright's relationship with her mother, who is initially hesitant to accept her daughter's sexuality but ultimately comes to a place of love and understanding. These personal stories add an intimate depth to the film, making it feel less like a political manifesto and more like a human story.

Overall, Wish Me Away is a compelling and important film that sheds light on a crucial moment in the history of country music and LGBTQ activism. By telling Chely Wright's story in such an honest and compassionate way, the film offers a window into the struggles and triumphs of LGBTQ artists who are seeking to express themselves and stay true to their identities in an industry that can be judgmental and unforgiving. Perhaps most importantly, the film underscores the need for greater visibility and representation of LGBTQ people in all areas of society, so that stories like Wright's can be seen and heard by a wider audience.

Wish Me Away is a 2011 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 36 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5 and a MetaScore of 66.