Imagine That

Imagine That is one of the most predictable, sappy, unoriginal movies I have ever seen in my entire life, but it’s not all THAT bad. I can name at least 20 more insulting movies that have come out in the last year or two, so I will not beat it up as much as you think I might (maybe I am growing soft in my old age).

Eddie Murphy stars as Evan - an overly driven investment advisor who is trying to line himself up to be the firm’s next leader. Of course, all of this time he dedicates to work is having an adverse effect on his little daughter, Olivia (Yara Shahidi), who carries a security blanket with her wherever she goes and spends more time talking to her imaginary friends than interacting with the rest of the world (not always a bad plan when you realize what the rest of the world is like these days).

It’s Evan’s turn to take care of Olivia for a week, and he’s not exactly the type of guy who is willing to play dress up and tea party with her, but something magical starts to happen. Her imaginary friends dole out fantastic, cryptic advice about companies Evan is examining for his clients (can they help a movie critic’s decimated 401K?). Now, Evan, and Olivia are inseparable, and the investment guru has his boss thinking he is a genius as he continually tops his number one rival, Johnny Whitefeather (Thomas Haden Church).

When Evan starts to spend more time with Olivia to get access to these unbelievable psychic predictions, will he learn to be a better father and appreciate his daughter for the cute little girl she is?

Will the kid figure out she is being used?

What will happen if Evan doesn’t have access to the blanket?

Imagine That is a movie that seems better after you have given up hope it will be fantastic or amazing or just better than average. It is silly and ridiculous at times, especially as Evan is forced to explain why he is supporting or opposing certain investments with a 5-year old child’s reasoning. Listening to the character tell a client he doesn’t like a company’s prospects because it “has a big butt” or it’s “gross” makes you realize writers Ed Solomon and Chris Matheson are not trying to win an Oscar, unless that Oscar is presented by the kids who watch Nickelodeon (although, I think Jim Cramer might have called a company stinky poo once). Plus, Murphy and Church, are forced to make silly faces and dance in ridiculous ways to appeal to the youngest of children, which may make most adult eyes roll when the antics commence.

Yet, Director Karey Kirkpatrick and Murphy somehow make you slightly forgive the movie’s faults, no matter how glaring they may be. Imagine That does have a few sweet moments between Murphy and the kid, which serve as reminders that the funny man has an ability to add warmth and caring to a character to make him likable when necessary (and makes me wish he would be daring and try to leap into a good, solid drama again even if the paycheck is not as rewarding). And, of course, Murphy is a funny man, so he will find some way to make you laugh no matter how horrible the movie, script or premise.

Imagine That is mundane, but we have all seen worse.

Imagine That is rated PG for some mild language and brief questionable behavior.