Imagine That!

To make a long story short, I was able to go see Eddie Murphy’s newest movie, “Imagine That” tonight. The movie officially opens in theaters tomorrow. So, already I feel as though I am part of some elite club. I got to see it before you do.

At any rate, along with my mother and one of her friends, I went with a friend whose job it is to review movies. Tonight she was off the clock. But, because she was with us, everyone in my group got to go. Thanks! One of the conditions of the nice movie people giving my friend the two “official – press reviewer – only” seats (literally the last two seats in the house) was that she come and give them a comment after the movie. Because of this, my mind was in movie review mode. (We’re just going to pretend that I have a “movie review” mode in my brain, okay?) During the movie, I was thinking, “what would I say if I were her?” So, you get the benefit of what I might have said in review of the movie. Since I had about a 45 minute drive home to think about it, and since I’m not limited by a “quick soundbite,” here is what I did and didn’t like about the movie.

**Spoiler Alert**
First of all, I love that Olivia uses her imagination in this movie. I am so frustrated these days by children who don’t know what their imagination is; let alone how to use it. It really is a disservice to them that we have so readily employed our electronic babysitters. So, the fact that there is a child in this movie who has an imaginary world is almost refreshing. Except that by using this imaginary world, her escapism is blatant as she has apparently forgotten how to play with her peers. It bothers me that Olivia has a blanket that she is incapable of parting with, so much so that most of the adults around her placate to her need to constantly keep the blanket with her. When the blanket is taken from her, with the exception of one instance, she almost literally screams her little head off.

I appreciate that the relationship between Olivia and her father, Evan is painfully lonely for her. That she has actually invented this imaginary world as a way to cry out to her daddy to pay some attention to her. What is a little too fantastic, is that somehow this imaginary world and the princesses (and queen) in it are the ones who are able to give Evan a bit of insider advice. We don’t know where the information really comes from; just that he miraculously has it when he needs it. This of course, leads to a possible job promotion for Evan. It also leads to a point in the movie where the audience is almost begging alongside Olivia, for Evan to choose her instead of his job. However, much like Dumbo with his feather, Evan thinks he cannot do his job anymore without Olivia’s blanket. So, in a very painful and embarrassing scene, Evan literally begs Olivia for permission to borrow her blanket, “just for tonight.”

There are a few other problems that we found with the movie. One is the spiritual aspects presented in the movie. One character, Johnny Whitefeather, portrays himself as an Indian. Believing that it is the blanket that is giving Evan his powerful insight, Johnny pays an Indian elder to bless a blanket for him. He then drags his 9 year old kid out of bed and hypes him up on Red Bull so that he can go on a “vision quest.” Because this is vaguely similar (and incredibly dissimilar at the same time), Johnny believes that he will gain the edge and beat Evan out of a job they are both trying for. Fortunately for all involved, his plan tragically backfires and he is seen to be the fraud that he actually is.

Another big problem with the movie is that of the two characters, Olivia is portrayed as much more mature than Evan, her father. I have so many problems with Hollywood’s portrayal of children as more knowledgeable and mature than their adult counterparts. I do believe that Evan had a lot of growing up to do before he could become the father that Olivia needed him to be. However, when it is Olivia who has the level head and Evan who is throwing the temper tantrum, there are serious problems.

One more issue that I saw in the movie was with the familial relationship between Evan, Olivia and Olivia’s mother, Trish. It is not clear just how long Evan and Trish have lived separate lives, only that it’s been long enough for them to have set up completely separate households where they share Olivia. While Trish is apparently cast as the loving and “there” parent, even her parenting skills seem painfully lacking. She expects Evan to be available to care for Olivia, while at the same time casting her off on him, because “it’s pledge week” where she works. We, the audience, know that Trish has to force Evan to take care of Olivia “this week.” Otherwise, they wouldn’t spend time together during the key week at his office. Otherwise, she wouldn’t draw all over his work papers, forcing him to take her imaginary world seriously. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have a movie after all. Casting all this aside, by the end of the movie, after Evan has his ground breaking insight into how his life should be (and after he lands the dream job, of course) we’re supposed to believe that the happy little family goes off into the sunset and lives happily ever after? There is so much here that is already unbelievable. Why not suggest that the “every” in everything works out so amazingly for this little family? Somehow Olivia’s imaginary friends leave her, Evan gets his dream job while realizing the importance of family, and Trish’s boyfriend miraculously disappears, so that they can become the family that they’ve missed out on. Sure. Why not?

One aspect of the movie that I did appreciate was during Evan’s goodbyes to the princesses and queen who have almost literally plagued his every move for most of the movie. He recognizes that one of the princesses was there to protect Olivia, when he couldn’t do it. I found it fascinating that Supita even cast her ire on Evan at parts during the movie. However, as insightful as it might have been, even that was inconsistent. What was frustrating about this scene also was that apparently the princesses and queen got bored while Evan was apologizing. Sure, he was a bit longwinded for a child’s attention span. However, the fact that he was willing to admit his mistakes to his child should not be brushed over so easily.

I appreciate that this is a more family friendly movie than a lot that are out there now. However, I don’t know that I would want my children to watch this particular movie (if I had children) because of the ideas that it portrays. Spirituality can be bought. If you dance around enough with a blanket on your head, you’ll find all the answers to life’s problems. While family can be important when you need them, even if you walk away from the big opportunities to be there for your family, the opportunities will not only follow you, but also wait until Monday, when you’re ready for them.

It’s not wrong to spend time with your children. To kneel down, get on their level and into their worlds. However, children seldom, if ever, hold all of the answers to life’s problems. While they can show amazing insight for their ages, children need parents who are willing to make the tough choices, the sacrifices to be parents. They don’t need more friends who are immature like they are. They need guidance to shape them into the people they will be. They need parents.

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