A mainstream romantic-comedy with a twist, Ol Parker's IMAGINE ME & YOU stands out from the generic pack thanks to its gay-themed subject matter. The movie is as light and fluffy as the average movie in the genre, but as viewers scoop a mouthful of popcorn they may find their expectations subtly altered. Set in London, the movie begins with the wedding of Rachel (Piper Perabo) and Heck (Matthew Goode). Although they seem blissfully happy, Rachel is masking some Sapphic thoughts after eyeing Luce, the wedding florist (Lena Headey), during the ceremony. As luck would have it, one of Heck's male friends, Cooper (Darren Boyd), has fallen for Luce, allowing her and Rachel to meet socially and to consider consummating their desire for one another.

While much of Parker's film follows a rather formulaic romantic-comedy route, it takes a surprising turn when Luce and Rachel get together and have no intention of breaking up. A reunion between Rachel and Heck is never on the cards, and it's to Parker's credit that he wasn't sucked into ending the film with an affirmation that the heterosexual world is where his lead female character belongs. IMAGINE ME & YOU sees Hollywood taking a tiny step towards embracing homosexuality in a thoroughly mainstream movie, and for that it should be commended.

Theatrical Release: January 27, 2006

DVD Features:

Keep Case
Dual Side
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Dolby Digital Surround - Latin Spanish
Subtitles - English, Spanish, French - Optional
Additional Release Material:
Audio Commentary: Ol Parker - Director/Writer
Disc 1/Side A: IMAGINE ME & YOU - Full Frame Version
Full Frame - 1.33
Additional Release Material:
Alternate Scenes: Deleted/Extended Scenes - (4)
Disc 1/Side B: IMAGINE ME & YOU - Widescreen Version
Widescreen - 2.35
Additional Release Material:
Bonus Footage: "Director's Statement"
Interviews: Ol Parker - Director; Cast Members (Q & A)

Piper Perabo: Actress
Matthew Goode: Star, CHASING LIBERTY (2003)
Lena Headey: American actress, RIPLEYS GAME (2002)
Anthony Head: Actor
Eva Birthistle: American Actress
Celia Imrie: British Actress, mostly television, mid '70s-present
Darren Boyd: Actor, HIGH HEELS AND LOW LIFES (2001)
Sue Johnston: 

Oliver Parker: British actor/director/screenwriter

Lynda La Plante: Miniseries writer & novelist - "Prime Suspect" et. al.
Barnaby Thompson: 

Alex Heffes: composer, ONE DAY IN SEPTEMBER

"[I]t looks gorgeous, and Parker has a fine ear for flip, girly dialogue."