Imagination (2007)

User Rating:

3.9/10   

Director:

Eric Leiser

Writers:

Eric Leiser (writer)
Jeffrey Leiser (writer)

Release Date:

26 February 2008 (USA)

Genre:

Fantasy

Tagline:

Twin girls overcome physical limitations to learn the secrets of heaven and nature.

Plot:

Dr. Reineger is a child neuro-psychologist who has become confident that the twin Anna has a rare form of autism called Asperger's Syndrome...

Plot Keywords:

Imagination | Autism | Asperger's Syndrome | Puppet Animation | Messiah

Cast

Ed K. Gildersleeve	...	Dr. Reineger
Nikki Haddad	...	Anna Woodruff
Jessi Haddad	...	Sarah Woodruff
Courtney Sanford	...	Janice Woodruff
Travis Poelle	...	Roland Woodruff
Anthony Caraday	...	Young Doctor Reineger
Bob Gerlach	...	Pastor Bob
Laura Leiser	...	Receptionist
Kevin Le	...	Kevin
John Le	...	John
Jason Byrne	...	Search party
Laina Kim	...	Funeral attendee / search party
Sebastian Brown	...	Search party
Burton Bush	...	Funeral attendee
Melissa Haddad	...	Funeral attendee

Runtime:

USA:70 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Albino Fawn Productions

Quotes:

Sarah Woodruff: But the fawn makes everything so clear!
Anna Woodruff: Of course it does, but mom and dad can't see. They forgot what it means to dream. They use our disabilities as an excuse not to believe.

Movie Connections:

References Eclectic Shorts by Eric Leiser (2004) (V)

Beautiful Artistically, But Beyond That Not Really Special

Brothers Eric and Jeffrey Leiser bring us the story of two twin girls who have Asperger's syndrome, where they are highly introverted and socially awkward, but have strong imaginations guided by "the white fawn", whatever that might be. Dr. Reineger has a fascination with these girls and seeks to find some answers.

This film has one weak point and one strong point. The weak point is the acting. The two main characters, besides the girls, just do not impress me at all. Courtney Sanford (mother Janice Woodruff) forces her lines out, and Ed K. Gildersleeve (Dr. Reineger) doesn't do much better. The plot is very thin, and their navigation through it with words is like a canoe lost at sea... it's going somewhere, but certainly not from the actors' control.

The strong point is the imagination and animation throughout the picture. Clay, food, paint and any other medium found is used in this movie, with more or less consistently beautiful results. Had they wanted to, the Leisers could have simply filmed these segments, added a few more and called it art. They were the highlight of the picture.

This movie was picked up and rented on a whim, something that may be a little bit risky... but in this case, it opened my eyes to a film I would likely never had seen otherwise, presenting a style I never before would have imagined. Not a comedy, not a drama... just pure imagination on film.