By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 4 cats
Director: Ol Parker
Starring: Lena Headey | Matthew Goode | Piper Perabo
Country: germany, united_kingdom, united_states
Year: 2006
Running time: 94
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0421994/combined
Michael says: “What would you do if moments before saying ‘I do’ at your wedding, you lock eyes with your soul mate, and it’s not the man you’re marrying. To complicate matters, it happens to be a woman and you’re not gay. This is the premise of the delightfully charming IMAGINE ME & YOU written and directed by Ol Parker, a relative newcomer on the scene. Rachel (Piper Perabo) is finally marrying her long-time boyfriend Heck (Matthew Goode) much to everyone’s delight. She really loves him, in that comfortable way you love an old, broken-in sweater. At the ceremony, she briefly locks eyes with Luce (Lena Heady) the florist, and her world turns upside-down. Shortly afterwards, you all become friends until it becomes clear that Luce is falling in love with Rachel and tries to remove herself from the equation. The problem is, Rachel is falling in love with Luce as well.
I put this in the category of quirky, British pop fluff that is actually well-written, is entertaining, features terrific performances, and tells a moving story. It reminded me in many ways of LOVE ACTUALLY or FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL. It’s even more a partner of a film from last year’s festival, SAVING FACE. Lena Heady is magical as Luce, adding a lovely spark to her character that is so appealing. Vet British actors Anthony Head (‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’) and Celia Imrie (BRIDGET JONES’S DIARY) put in fun performances as Rachel’s parents. Piper Perabo and Matthew Goode make the lead couple in the awkward spot both sympathetic and heartbreakingly real. Sure there’s that cheesy romantic moment at the end where everything suddenly works out great, but it was heartfelt and totally deserved. 4 cats.”