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Imagine Me & You

For an instance, the premise of “Imagine Me & You” is so outlandish and porn worthy the film hardly seems worth anyone’s time. However, what is produced is, in actuality, a lovely romantic comedy that is as fulfilling as it is heart wrenching. With a wonderful cast, upbeat sentimentality and a sharp, witty – albeit typically British screenplay, the film actually qualifies itself to be mentioned in the same breath as “Four Weddings and a Funeral” and “Notting Hill.”

Imagine, most men’s worst fear; that their new wife, on whom they dote constantly, is secretly falling in love with another woman. Writer/Director Ol Parker has crafted this very tale while wisely working around the typical sitcom pratfalls that would simply make this another episode of “Friends.” Here, Parker skips the typical preaching of other films that depict the gay and lesbian community. Here, Luce (Lena Headey) is portrayed as an honest to goodness human being, who happens to be in love with a married woman. The object of her desire, Rachel (Piper Perabo – who does a wonderful accent, by the way) has just been married to Heck (Matthew Goode) and despite her best attempts at remaining faithful and loving to her husband, cannot ignore the feelings in her heart. This is the issue that holds the entire film together, the idea that this is not some lewd fantasy Rachel is having. It is not some cheap thrill she is looking to have; she is conflicted out of the concept of true love. Her character, as well as Heck’s and Luce’s for that matter, are all portrayed as good and decent people. It is that dynamic, which truly exhibits the gutsiness of the screenplay. Despite how much the audience may come to like them, someone in this group of good people must get hurt. Without sacrificing character development or resorting to paper-thin turns of heart, Parker makes his audience “tough-it-out” and endure the pain and potential resentment his characters put one another through.

“Imagine Me & You” shows what a screenplay that was written with real emotions in mind can look like. Delightfully charming, the performances while all wonderful, must also concede that best in show goes to Matthew Goode. His sincere delivery and subtle mannerisms - like biting his lip when being coy – texture and layer not only his role, but also everyone else’s.

Sadly, being released by 20th Century Fox often means the unfortunate imprint of the flimsy and unreliable flip-discs. For those who have to watch their films in full-screen, the disc offers that choice. For those who like their discs not only presented in the proper aspect ratio, but durable and capable of lasting more than a couple of viewings, this disc should be rented only. That is, if you can still find one that will work. Other than the shortcomings of the actual disc, its contents include deleted scenes with commentary and a feature length commentary. A small Q&A with the cast and a personal statement from the director adds some insight after the initial viewing.

Written by: Kevin Yeoman

Reviewers Rating: 8.5
Reader's Rating: 9.75
Reader's Votes: 4

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