Imagine Me & You (2005)

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I always forget how much I love this movie until I am watching it. Imagine Me & You starts with the wedding of beautiful and smiley Rachel (Piper Perabo) to affable best-friend-turned-boyfriend Heck (Matthew Goode). Florist Luce (Lena Hedey), who has never met either, is there to check on all the arrangements, and there is a half second when her eyes meet Rachel's as she walks down the aisle. From then on, Rachel grapples with confusion over her marriage and her possible attraction to someone else. The women quickly become friends, as the newlyweds try to set Luce up with their playboy friend Cooper (Darren Boyd). However they soon find out Luce is a lesbian, and, while this doesn't stop Coop from trying to get her in bed, it does shake Rachel into realizing she may be falling for her. But, she can't bear to leave a good person like Heck and Luce is very against breaking up anyone's marriage. They go back and forth between acting on their feelings and acting on reason; it is fairly gut-wrenching for the viewer but don't worry, some things work out!


One of the things I dig about this movie is its general ignorance of gender in its discussion of love. Yes, Rachel has lived her life as a heterosexual but has suddenly found herself inextricably attached to a another woman. Her mother (Celia Imrie) harps on the same-sex thing but most of the other characters don't. For all intents and purposes it would be the same if she was attracted to another man. Writer-Director Ol Parker actually intended it to be about a heterosexual affair to begin with, showing the adaptability of the theme to different genders. I think this is a refreshing take on love as well as gay relationships in movies- the driving force of the story doesn't have to be the fact that they are gay, but can instead be their feelings for each other and their effects on people around them. It's very realistic, with relatable characters and the ups and downs of their lives. It's a beautiful love story no matter what, with a wonderful, likeable cast. I especially enjoy Anthony Head's comic turn as Rachel's mumbling, apparently clueless father. Added bonuses: England! And you learn a bit about flowers and their meanings! Also, you might cry if you are affected by true romance!