Customer Reviews

Imagine Me & You

5 star:		(91)
4 star:		(33)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I loved this delightful little movie. Despite its girl-loves-girl plot, it shouldn't be pigeonholed as a lesbian romance. This is romantic comedy at its finest and can be appreciated by anyone, irrespective of orientation.

The film is an anglo-american-german co-production, filmed in England with a largely English cast. Piper Perabo does a good job with a creditable English accent which apart from an occasional slip, is largely believable. Rachel (Piper Perabo) is struck by a case of love-at-first-sight on her wedding day. Unfortunately it isn't for her handsome, sweet, kindly, husband-to-be but the female florist who's been hired for the occasion. Confused at first, she befriends the florist who does understand her feelings and reciprocates whole-heartedly. As she is now married, how can things end happily? In a way, they don't. Part of me was sad at how things turned out because these were all such lovable characters. But the producers make sure that no heart remains broken for too long. And like all rom-coms, this pedals crazily towards a happy ending, cheered on by the Turtles' "Happy Together."

Aside from Piper Perabo, everyone else is British. Look out for the supporting roles and cameos by various British actors. Lena Headey (The Brothers Grimm) plays Luce the florist, Matthew Goode (Match Point) is the husband, Anthony Head (Buffy) is Rachel's Dad, Celia Imrie (Calendar Girls / Love in a Cold Climate) is Rachel's Mom, Ben Miles (Coupling) is Heck's work buddy, Eva Birthistle (A Fond Kiss) is Luce's lesbian friend.

Like most rom-coms, there is extensive use of pop songs. The main one here is The Turtles' upbeat and infectious "Happy Together" whose first lines contribute the title of the movie. Other songs include, Dusty Springfield's "The Look of Love", Kelly Marie's "Feels Like I'm In Love" and Ottawans' D.I.S.C.O.

The double-sided DVD contains the original 2.35:1 widescreen version (anamorphic) on Side B and a Pan-&-Scan version on Side A. Picture quality is perfectly lovely, pretty much what you'd expect of a film made in 2005. The DD 5.1 track sounds equally fine with crystal clear dialogue mostly front-centered and lovely music reproduction. The Extras are split onto both sides of the disc. A Q&A session with director and cast is found on Side A while there are about 10mins worth of deleted and extended scenes with optional director's commentary as well as a "Personal statement by director Ol Parker" on Side B.

It goes without saying - or maybe it doesn't - that this is not your typical romantic comedy. Most people fall in love and then get married, but Imagine Me & You starts with a wedding and ends with true love. And most married men worry about their wives leaving them for another man - not another woman. Truly, though, this film should not be pigeon-holed as one of "those" films, for it's a really sweet story that says more about true love than most of today's raunchy romances. Love and sex are not the same thing, and it's always nice to find a film that reflects that. Don't go into this film expecting to see two lovely ladies rolling around naked in the hay, as there's no nudity whatsoever. This is a sweet film, not a prurient one.

I love Piper Perabo, especially now that's she proven she's just as talented as she is gorgeous. She's an unusual choice for the leading role in this film, an American actress surrounded by an impressive British cast, but her accent feels natural and makes for a most comfortable fit. Her character, Rachel, seems the picture of happiness as she marries Heck (Matthew Goode), a true good guy who has long been her best friend. Walking down the aisle, however, she happens to exchange a life-changing glance with Luce (Lena Headey), the florist who supplied the flowers for the wedding. She soon strikes up a friendship with Luce, initially trying to set her up with one of Heck's friends. Even before she learns that Luce is gay, though, she finds herself thinking about her more and more. Never having believed in love at first sight, she doesn't know how to react to these strange but powerful new feelings she is experiencing for the first time. Naturally, a distance seems to develop between her and Heck, eventually forcing her to choose between happiness and stability with Heck or true love with Luce. Luce, for her part, is also torn; as much as she loves Rachel, she certainly has no desire to break up a marriage.

As the movie progressed, I really wasn't sure how this story would end, knowing that one side of this lovers' triangle was destined for unhappiness. The filmmakers delivered a better and more meaningful conclusion than I ever expected, however - even though it does go a little too far in trying to make everyone happy.

The entire cast is excellent, contributing a couple of meaningful subplots, but special mention must be made of two individuals. Boo Jackson is utterly charming as Rachel's young sister H (there's a great explanation for her name), while Anthony Head (Giles of Buffy fame) turns in a memorable performance as Rachel's long-suffering father, whose tendency to mumble and dodder around seems directly related to his less than perfect marriage to Rachel's demanding mother. Both Jackson and Head really step up to make the film's sentimental conclusion particularly effective.

Imagine You & Me is a disarmingly sweet and entertaining romantic comedy. The nature of the romance between Rachel and Luce does much to explain the film's R rating, but this same-sex romance is in no way "mature" in terms of its content. When you come right down to it, the fact that Rachel and Luce are both women is almost incidental. This is, purely and simply, a wonderful love story.

I saw this movie when it came out and fell in love with it.

It doesn't try to overwhelm you with a liberal agenda of some sort. (Becoming a lesbian doesn't inherently make you liberal, although, in my world, it would.)

It doesn't revolve the story around a lusty sex scene. (I enjoy them, but there's something to be said for the romantic simplicity of the kiss.)

It doesn't try to squeeze in every single member of the lgbtiq community like we're an amusing freak show. (With some movies, I find myself yelling, "It's a gay movie, I get it!")

...This movie simply tries to tell the story of two girls in love, nothing else. It does it in a quirky, Notting-Hill type of way and that makes it all the better. At least for people like myself, who are sick of imagining Harry, of When Harry Met Sally, as a curly-haired butch.

By being so formulaic and true to the romantic comedy genre, this movie becomes radical. You WANT Rachel to follow her heart and get her mate, who just happens to be another woman. It doesn't even dawn on you that what you're cheering for is lesbianism--why is this such a dividing issue again?

Considering "Imagine Me & You" to be a "lesbian film" does not do it justice in terms of the totality of the film. By saying that, the film becomes pigeonholed into a narrow category in which many closed-minded viewers will miss out on a wonderful film they may have really connected with and understood. Rather, viewers should think of it a beautiful love story: a woman confused about her feelings for someone other than her husband, and how she chooses to act on those feelings.

The film was extremely well done and I'm impressed that it was directed by a man. All stereotypes aside, I am surprised at how well he captured the various relationships and presented the subject matter in a casual, non-gratuitous and relatable way.

The acting was great- Piper Perabo and Lena Headey are very natural actresses. It was refreshing watching a romantic comedy with actresses other than the usual few (i.e. Reece Witherspoon, Cameron Diaz, Julia Roberts, etc). Matthew Goode was adorable Piper Perabo's husband and without ruining anything, the way his character ends up reacting to his wife's situation was(to me at least) surprising, yet it seemed right.

I recommend this film for anyone - male, female, old, young, of all backgrounds....I think many people will be able to connect with the characters and/or the siuations they find themselves in, as love is universal. It is definitely a film worth renting and adding to your collection.

I saw the previews for this movie when I saw 'Brokeback Mountain' and was waiting impatiently for it to come to my city. Many 'gay movies' aren't that good. I was happy that this one is.

Well-acted, all the characters were believable and likable. Anthony Stewart Head as Piper Pearbo's dad is a hoot! A fun escape movie with a little sadness, and yet a happy ending for all.

Piper Pearbo plays a woman who, at her wedding is immediately drawn to a woman who turns out to be the florist. Both she and her new husband take to this stranger and they develop a friendship. When it turns out that the florist is a lesbian, the bride is eventually forced to take a look at the nature of the draw she feels towards this woman. However, neither woman wants to hurt her husband, a good and caring man. How it all works out is funny, touching, and sad at turns.

I'd compare this movie most to something like Reese Witherspoon's "Sweet Home Alabama". If you liked that movie and you can celebrate love in all its forms, then I believe you'll enjoy "Imagine Me & You".

Imagine you're on your way to the wedding of your life, everything is arranged, you're friends and family are all present, it's that special day - The ceremony is perfect: lovely dress, lovely reception, lovely couple. When suddenly, just as you're walking up the isle you glimpse the love of your life standing by the sidelines.

Rachel (Piper Perabo) just doesn't know what hit her when she spies Luce, a lovely florist (Lena Headey) over the heads of her wedding guests. She's absolutely devoted to Heck, her hunky husband to be (Matthew Goode), but Rachel happens to glance over and catch Luce's eye and unexpectedly the two women are in love.

But life goes on, the wedding proceeds and although Rachel and Luce strike up a rapport, Rachel and Heck instantly settle down into their comfortable existence living in their showpiece London flat. Rachel, however, establishes a social relationship with Luce, and her fantasy feelings become more dangerous when she realizes that Luce likes women.

There's no doubt that director Ol Parker's first movie shines. Imagine You & Me has a real hip sensibility and the characters are sweet and gorgeous to look at and even the script has a snappy wit. But for those expecting hot girl-on-girl action might be a bit disappointed - it takes the pair two-thirds of the running time to finally get together and when they do, the scene is consists of a quick grope and kiss at the back of Luce's flower shop.

The plot is contrived and you can telegraph each scene as it's about to happen, but the movie has a good energy and is well played by all the leads. Much of the drama involves Rachel's efforts to deal with her new feelings and her newfound sexual attraction. Sure, she's torn up about it, but mostly because she's lying to Heck, a multifaceted first-class guy who has lots of charisma.

Heck knows there's something not right, but is terrified to ask his wife in case there really is something wrong. He tries to get a bit of advice from his father-in-law, Ned (Anthony Head), but Ned's relationship with his wife (Celia Imrie) is so fraught with animosity that he's not going to be terribly helpful, and Coop (Darren Boyd) while he is Heck's best mate, is also a self confessed misogynist, he isn't exactly the greatest choice for intimate advice.

Ironically, Heck gets the best guidance from Henrietta (Boo Jackson), Rachel's little sister; she makes a great confidant even though she's a bit too young. The outcome is cute and whimsical and also quite predictable, but along the way these characters learn about love and friendship and dreams, and unrequited love, depression and fear.

Rachel and Luce both have some pretty tough choices to make, but will they choose to follow their hearts or to be kind and not hurt anyone? It all depends on whether they really do believe they have fallen in love at first sight. Mike Leonard June 06.

I had my reservations about this film when I first heard about it. It was written and directed by a man, which (and you'll pardon the prejudice) doesn't usually bode well for a happy ending for the heroines. I found that at the end of this movie it didn't matter who she was with because all the characters in the triangle were well-rounded and likable.

Believe it or not, the one who stole every scene he was in was the father, played wonderfully by Anthony Head (Giles from 'Buffy'). He was positively brilliant. Everyone did a fine job in this picture though. This is definitely one of the better lesbian films out there.

The movie was wonderful. I have reccommended the film to all of my friends, gay and straight. I was surprised how how funny it was, and pretty insightful. There wasn't a vilian or someone to hate. There were true feelings, and situations, although dolled up, that can and do happen. Not everyone is as beautiful in real life, but then it wouldn't be fun to watch. Everyone was wonderful in the film. I great escape movie where in the end, there's a happy ending. I saw a sneak preview and everyone was clapping and cheering. I've seen it two times, and I can't wait for it to come out on DVD.

This was a great movie but I knew it was going to be. If anyone saw Piper Perabo in Lost and Delirious and liked it then go see Imagine Me & You. She is an incredible actress as is Lena Headey. Actually eveyone was fantastic in this movie. It was just a feel good film and so enjoyable. Go see it if you can.

I'm not into LESBIAN movies because 90% of them have nothing to do with my life. I don't identify with any of the characters and I wonder who made this movie and thinks this is how lesbians are. I'm not full of angst or trouble, even back when I was single, I didn't have this many problems.

Anyway, getting to this movie...

Finally, a movie where I can identify with the characters. You feel Heck's love for Rach and Luce's too. On one hand, you want to root for Heck and on the other, you want Rach and Luce to be happy. A perfect movie for any household and even more perfect for a Lesbian one.