The Pretend One (2018) Poster

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One woman's imaginary friend and how it influenced her life.
TxMike13 July 2020
This is an Australian movie, it includes short flashbacks when Charlie and Hugo were children, but most of the movie takes place when she is in her mid-20s.

The young adult Charlie is played very nicely by Geraldine Hakewill. Her mother died when she was very young and now it is just her and her gruff dad working the cotton farm. Since Charlie was a child she had this red-haired friend, Hugo, that was almost always at her side. No one else could see or hear him but to Charlie he is very real, they have conversations, sometimes he wakes her in the morning.

Things begin to change for Hugo when a new guy comes to town, one that Charlie seems very interested in. If Charlie were to forget about Hugo then he would disappear. But Hugo then finds that with enough passion and fear he can start to develop the ability to touch and move things. It seems that it is a path to his becoming more than an imaginary person.

The whole story turns into a fable of sorts, and the ending reminds me of what Rick did for Ilsa in "Casablanca". This is a small but good movie, interesting concepts executed very well. My wife and I enjoyed it, on DVD from our public library.
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9/10
It's beautiful
miaaacameron11 November 2023
It has been a long time since I've written a review for a movie, but for this one, I just had to. It can be seen as slow and it's an Australian indie, but it makes for a wonderful film. The cinematography was stunning, the script was heartfelt and clever, the soundtrack fit perfectly - especially towards the end. The concept behind this film is inspiring and unlike something I've ever seen. It's touching, it's funny, it's sweet, and there are certain moments of intimacy between characters that were so subtle (they felt like little inside jokes or references) that they really made this feel believable, which I definitely accredit to the actors and everyone else who made the overall feelings of heartache but hopefulness that was present throughout possible - they did amazing. I loved it.
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