Sunday, 23 November 2008 23:58 <a href="http://www.theflickchicks.com/index.php/component/comprofiler/userprofile/Kreatia.html">Judy Thorburn</a> Movie Reviews - Judy Thorburn

Judy Thorburn

Imagine Me & You

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“IMAGINE ME & YOU” – SO HAPPY TO GET HER

It seems like perfect timing for the lesbian love story Imagine You and Me to jump on the bandwagon and hit the screens on the heels of the gay cowboy romance Brokeback Mountain which was the most talked about and critically acclaimed film of 2005. While both flicks are about homosexual love, truth be told, that is where the comparison ends. One is a heavy drama that ends tragically and the other is a light and airy comedy with a happy ever after ending. While very different, I am sure the story of same sex attraction is likely to draw not only similar audiences, but also a wide range of audiences who are looking for a smart, romantic story.

The Flick Chicks, film, video, movie reviews, critics, Judy Thorburn, Victoria Alexander, Polly Peluso, Shannon Onstot, Jacqueline Monahan, Tasha Chemplavil, Imagine Me & You starring Piper Perabo, Matthew Goode, Lena Headey, Anthony Head, Eva Birthistle, Celia Imrie, Darren Boyd, Sue Johnston

The underlying theme of Imagine Me and You (title comes from the Turtles’ 1967 hit Happy Together) is really all about love at first sight and the undeniable, uncontrollable force that draws one person to another. In this case it just happens to be between two women, not men as in the aforementioned Brokeback Mountain. The lovely Piper Perabo (with a convincing British accent and a huge smile that rivals that of Julia Roberts) plays Rachel, newly wed to her sweet, handsome, and rich longtime sweetheart Heck (Matthew Goode, also presently in Match Point) who looks to be the perfect catch. The problem is right in the middle of their wedding ceremony Rachel experiences an Ellen Degeneres/Anne Heche moment when she happens to lock eyes with equally gorgeous Luce (Lena Headey, The Cave, Brothers Grimm)), the florist her mother hired for the occasion. The two women meet again at the reception and although unusual feelings are brewing within Rachel that she doesn’t quite understand, she later tries to set up Luce with Heck’s girl crazy best friend Coop (Darren Boyd) who has fallen for her. Luce admits to Heck that she’s a lesbian and although the setup with his best friend is a lost cause, it’s obvious who the real object of her desire is and vice versa.

As can be expected the story revolves around Rachel’s emotional turmoil and her coming to grips with the feelings she can’t deny and its consequences. Leaving her best friend and husband Heck would not only hurt him, it would take her away from the traditional, comfortable life she’s accustomed to. It doesn’t help the matter that by coincidence, Rachel and Luce keep bumping into each other, or when a clueless Heck, unable to accompany his wife to a soccer game asks Luce to escort Rachel in his place. Although Rachel slowly grows emotionally and physically distant from her husband he has no idea why she is acting that way. Luce never comes across as a predator and she makes it clear to Rachel that she doesn’t want to break up her marriage. So it is up to Rachel to discover what she wants and to be the aggressor.

Nothing about this flick is offensive. There is no girl on girl explicit or steamy sex and the scene with the stars locking lips and caressing each other is rather tame. This is a PG rated romantic comedy and a charming one at that which fills the bill thanks to the appealing leads. Most of the comedic moments are delivered by the supporting cast and sideline bits that include Anthony Head and Celia Imrie (a hoot in Nanny McPhee) as Rachel’s parents Ned and Tessa who have their own marriage problems, Rachel’s precocious kid sister nicknamed H (Sharon Hogan) and of course Coop, who thinks he can convert Luce if she would give him a chance. There is also a sweet subplot involving the loving and supportive relationship between Luce and her mother who also is looking for love.

The problem with the script is it is hard to believe that everyone would so easily accept the shocking news that the straight young woman had suddenly turned gay. Real life isn’t that simple. Okay, I’ll admit it’s also a bit formulaic and predictable. Nevertheless, Imagine Me and You is likeable, witty and touching. It could very well be about a man and a woman since the central focus is not on the characters’ sexual orientation but in the belief of instant attraction or if there is truth in love at first sig