Imaginary Friend (2012 film)
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''Imaginary Friend'' is a 2012
Lifetime Lifetime may refer to: * Life expectancy, the length of time a person is expected to remain alive Arts, entertainment, and media Music * Lifetime (band), a rock band from New Jersey * ''Life Time'' (Rollins Band album), by Rollins Band * ...
television movie starring Lacey Chabert, Ethan Embry,
Amanda Schull Amanda Schull is an American actress and former professional ballet dancer. She is known for her lead role in the 2000 film '' Center Stage'', and for her recurring roles on the American television series ''One Tree Hill'' and ''Pretty Little Li ...
, and Ted McGinley.


Plot

Emma is a talented artist haunted by the presence of a childhood imaginary friend called Lilly, which she created as a way to protect herself from her father's abuse, who killed her mother before committing suicide. She inherits a fortune in a trust on condition that she remains married. Her husband, Brad, a psychiatrist, uses this imaginary friend from her childhood to drive her mad, so she may be committed to a mental institution, staying married, but with free access to the trust without the burden of a wife. His mistress Molly, who is also his assistant, is in the plot and helps him. Brad seems to be a caring husband to everybody, but he lies to Emma's doctor, Dr. Kent, and says Emma hurts herself to have her institutionalized faster. He also has Emma take more and more pills. Eventually Lilly appears as an adult woman, and shows a supportive attitude to Emma, and even though Emma tries to make her disappear she's unsuccessful. She starts confiding in Lilly and realizes her presence is what makes her feel better. Brad knows Emma still sees Lilly, even though she denies it, so he speaks with the hospital staff to have Emma institutionalized as soon as possible, and signs a new power from attorney to continue having access to Emma's trust. One night, Emma has prepared dinner and tells Brad she killed Lilly, much to his horror. He interrogates her and asks her how the murder occurred. Brad starts getting paranoid taking Emma's medication, trying to contact a woman called Brittany, who was one of his patients two years ago and with whom he had an affair. He calls Brittany but she never answers her phone; he looks for her at her home but the landowner explains there is no one with that name living there. Even her file is not in his office. It is revealed that Brittany has been posing as Lilly, but has turned against Brad and begun working with Emma to make Brad look like the one who needs professional help. Their plan succeeds and Brad gets institutionalized, freeing Emma from his deceptions. Brittany and Emma affirm their friendship, promising to be friends forever.


Cast

* Lacey Chabert as Emma Turner * Ethan Embry as Brad Turner *
Amanda Schull Amanda Schull is an American actress and former professional ballet dancer. She is known for her lead role in the 2000 film '' Center Stage'', and for her recurring roles on the American television series ''One Tree Hill'' and ''Pretty Little Li ...
as Brittany * Paul Sorvino as Jonathan * Jacob Young as Dr. Kent * Marc McClure as Dr. McQueen *Angeline-Rose Troy as Molly * Ted McGinley as Officer Cameron *Kayla Madison as Young Emma *Mila Brener as Lilly *
Heather Tom Heather Marie Tom (born November 4, 1975) is an American actress and television director. She is best known for her acting work on various soap operas. Her best known roles are Victoria Newman on ''The Young and the Restless,'' Kelly Cramer on ' ...
as Grace * Sam Page as Robert * Larry Poindexter as Duane * Matt Knudsen as Karl *
Deena Dill Deena Dill is an American actress and television executive producer best known for her recurring roles on Nickelodeon's hit show '' iCarly'', ABC's television series ''Suburgatory'', and The CW's sci-fi series ''Star-Crossed'', as well as bein ...
as Veronica


Reception

One review states, "an expertly built climax and conclusion that make it easy to say you should give it a chance, even if the toned down nature sounds like a deal breaker to you." ''
Radio Times ''Radio Times'' (currently styled as ''RadioTimes'') is a British weekly listings magazine devoted to television and radio programme schedules, with other features such as interviews, film reviews and lifestyle items. Founded in May 1923 by J ...
'' called the film a "seemingly average TV movie transformed by an entertaining climax", noting that the last act was "surprisingly enjoyable".


References


External links

*{{IMDb title , tt2171735 2012 television films 2012 films Lifetime (TV channel) films Films directed by Richard Gabai