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Life & Arts

'Imagine' goes nowhere with dull plot

Writer's minor twist in worn out storyline fails to grab audience

by SARAH TRESSLER
The Daily Cougar 

Great Britain's Ol Parker wrote and directed Imagine Me & You, which is a homosexual take on a cinematic cliché that is similar to British food in its blandness and weak presentation. The movie is a run of the mill love story that has one twist that sets it apart from other run of the mill love stories: It's about the love between two women.

Rachel (Parker Parabo) is walking down the aisle at her wedding to Heck (Matthew Goode) when she spots Luce, the wedding's florist (Lena Heady). It's love at first sight. What an inconvenient time to realize that you might prefer the company of the same sex.

Rachel spends the bulk of the film reflecting on the impossibility of the "love at first sight" phenomenon, despite its compelling ability to make her rethink her sexuality after she gets married. Heck is oblivious to his new wife's growing obsession until Rachel tearfully reveals her secret--only to find that Heck, drunk after a night at the bar, has passed out during her confession (or so she thought).

I just told you the best part of movie. Save your money.

Parker fails to bring anything new to this re-recycled plot. Can anything make this overdone account of unrequited love interesting? It started long before Romeo & Juliet and writers have been wringing it dry ever since.

Character development is thin, with little revealed about Rachel or Heck's personalities. This makes it difficult to stake an interest in the outcome of their predicament, which is what a plot like this hinges on.

Imagine Me & You is being marketed as a romantic comedy, which may be a bit deceptive. The comic moments are few and far between and are of the British variety, which may appeal to Britons, but doesn't always go over well in the United States.

Folks that aren't familiar with this plot line may find it charming and poignant. Ladies that are suckers for Harlequin romance novels may also be drawn in by this movie's lovey-dovey theme. And of course, a film about two girls in love is bound to lure in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender crowd.

Here's a thought: Why does a film involving lesbians have to have their relationship as the main source of conflict? I would like to see an action/thriller where the lesbian courtship is a side thought. Think The Matrix where instead of Keanu Reeves, we have Scarlet Johansen falling in love with say, Jessica Alba as they fight a horde of pantsuit-clad blondes in sunglasses. Now that would be a chick-on-chick flick worth seeing.

Imagine Me & YouRated: R for some language and sexual materialStarring: Piper Perabo, Matthew GoodeFox Searchlight PicturesVerdict: If you want to see a gay film, see ‘Brokeback Mountain.'
 

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