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Imagine Me & You
Cooper, that trollop. That man would shag an open wound.
I had a lot of reasons to go into this movie just hating it from all aspects. As it stands, I am not what one could call a huge fan of the romance movie genre and when the two female leads have both just come off of filming that dreadful The Cave, I just knew I would have to watch this with my finger circling above the stop button at all times. One other problem (and it's a general problem with romance movies), but there is an already established relationship that takes a hit when the two female leads decide to challenge each other in ways no one in the film truly expected. The one thing that finally got me in my seat with the DVD in the player is Piper Perabo. I haven't seen her in much, but I catch myself just staring at her every time she graces my screen. Trust me, it's nothing like my infatuation with Jordana Brewster's brows, but it's a welcome occasional change. Actually, none of the cast is particularly hard to look at and that will appeal to a lot of people, which I suppose is the entire point of making a movie.
We begin at Flowered Up, Luce, a florist who is running late for Rachel and Hector's wedding in which she is decorating with flowers and baubles, is trying to get the last customer out of her store before jetting off to the church. Along with Rachel, the bride, we're also introduced to her parents, her bridesmaid, and her younger sister, who thinks Rachel looks like a meringue in her wedding dress. On the drive to the church, Rachel's father goes on about how horrible his marriage is, but it's all quite hilarious. I might want to trade my dad in for him. We get through the rest of the introductions and after a few nervous jitters by Hector (or as he likes to be called, Heck), the wedding begins. During her walk to the front Rachel spies Luce off to the side and shares a very significant glance with her. When Rachel turns forward and then back again, Luce is gone. Was that love? I think that was love! Well into the reception, Luce comes to the rescue of Rachel and digs her wedding ring out of the "punch crap". After a rousing dance number to D.I.S.C.O. and the beginning of the "good luck" speeches, Luce books it and goes home. But Rachel could not possibly be done with her yet, could she? Of course not. Inviting Luce over for dinner, she tries to set him up with Coop, oblivious to the fact that Luce just came out as a lesbian to her husband. Her outing is an adorable scene and I hope to have one like it. Through a series of miscommunications and prodding, the two are quite often forced into sharing company, whether it be Rachel's sister's presentation (with which Luce helped, of course) or Heck having to back out of attending a football game (so naturally, he asks Luce to accompany his wife). With forces so determined to put them together, why are they trying so hard to fight it? This is where it could get complicated and this is also where I usually become frustrated with a romantic triangle film.
Rachel is married to Heck. Heck loves Rachel. Rachel loves Heck. Rachel also loves Luce. Who gets hurt here? If she stays with Heck out of guilt, that could never be a happy marriage. Can you really love someone if you know you are holding them back from their happiness? All three parties would be miserable. If Rachel does go for Luce, what happens to Heck who naturally assumed with the just recent marriage that he indeed made Rachel happy? Would he wonder what he did wrong? Would Luce feel like a home wrecker? I'll be honest, I have been in a similar circumstance many years ago and every path you choose ends up with someone hurting. Rachel's father, Ned, wrapped it up nicely after Heck leaves a confused Rachel, "Whatever you do, my dear. Follow your heart." So they all set off to stop Luce from leaving the country, so Rachel can tell her how much she adores her and that she "can do this!" Yay Team Gay!
This movie is a cookie-cutter romance movie with some lesbians thrown in. It's predictable and a bit cheesy, but I thought it was quite a bit of fun. It's nice to see Luce and Rachel interact with each other as if they've been best friends for years. (Of course, I did hear they became close friends on the set of The Cave, so they probably have some chemistry coming in.) I think the film did a good job of portraying Luce and Rachel's relationship, not as instant lust, but as a friendship that just blossoms quickly. Of course, we are to believe that the first time their eyes met at that wedding, that they knew they were going to fall in love. Perhaps that was when it was, but I am glad they showed them out together, merely enjoying each other's company. Their passion reaches a peak neither of them is wont to control. They seem alive in each other's company. You know exactly where the ending is going and it ends happily for everyone involved, which is nice because I thought Heck was too nice of a guy to say, get depressed and jump off a building.
I want to mention something I notice in a lot of movies featuring some form of lesbian kiss and so, noticed again in Imagine Me & You. Do no women use their tongue or even open their mouths a little when they kiss? Most of the kisses I have witnessed seem to be closed mouth with lips pressed tightly together. I have seen more passionate kisses on the cheek by my grandmother. I get that it's not every woman's dream to kiss another woman, but if you're getting paid to do it; goddammit, do it right. If you're not going to go the nudity route (and I am fine with that), at least make the kisses steamy. Bastards.
This movie is light, fun and full of pretty people. If you look past all the nonsense (and there is a bit), I think this could be a nice addition to the romantic movie genre, gay or straight. It also made Dance Dance Revolution seem a little sexy and a bit like foreplay. A plus for us dorks who occasionally jump on the mat.
3.2 / 4.0
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