Love Surreal (2006 TV Movie) User Reviews

Nice Little Warm and Fluffy Film

[gradyharp · 7/10 · 11 September 2006]

It is becoming more the rule than the exception that movies made for television are the equal if not better than many of the works made for the theaters. Such is the case for this little bit of fluff of a movie - EVERYTHING YOU WANT. Based on a play by Natalie Prado and adapted successfully for the screen by Steven A. Lee and Kevin Lawrence King, this film is lightweight but carries itself with style and fun by director Ryan Little and makes for an entertaining diversion of a film that is not about the heavier issues with which most films today are dealing.

Abigail Morrison (a charming Shiri Appleby) grew up with absentee parents and spent her idle hours drawing and creating an imaginary friend Sy (Orlando Seale) to care for her loneliness. Unfortunately she has carried Sy into her adult life, preventing her from dating real human beings. As an art student she paints her imaginary boyfriend who is always there for her and makes her mistrustful of real guys who are bound to desert her...! Abby meets a cocky young student Quinn (Nick Zano) faking his interest in art to get easy college credits. There is a mutual attraction that takes some time to develop: Abby talks about her boyfriend Sy to shield her vulnerability. Abby's friend Jessica (Alexandra Holden) is aware of Abby's imaginary Sy and attempts to get her to date real men. But Jessica is not without her problems - maintaining employment at Borders Bookstore being one of them - and through a series of accidental encounters, Quinn steps in to help Jessica keep her job on the promise that Abby will coach him in art. The obvious happens and Quinn's growth as a person mirrors Abby's ability to fore go her need to hide behind Sy and the two become a couple.

The young cast is attractive and for the most part acts well. There are some strange subplots that don't add much to the storyline but at least introduce some different offbeat characters. A deep movie this is not, but for an evening of light entertainment, this little film glimmers.

A little of what I wanted...

[voltage11 · 6/10 · 18 April 2005]

This is one of those usual made-for-TV films where it's difficult to decide whether you should like or hate it. It's cheesy, extremely odd, but unavoidably endearing. There's something attractive about the lack of sexual innuendos around every turn of phrase...something wholesome about going on dates to the ice skating rink and studying (actually studying) together. Of course, there are cheesy lines complimented by cheesy deliveries, but it just wouldn't be a made-for-TV film without them.

Will Friedle's character is extremely funny...they took the absent-minded friend to a new extreme. With lines like "Your face is good" and "Want a tuna sandwich? I made it with ham," it's impossible to stifle a giggle. There were moments in the film that redeemed the cheesy factors, like when Abbi claims there's a fire in the kitchen. One of my favorite scenes involved Sy interacting with Abbi and Quinn...it was cute and clever.

Overall, this is perfect for days when nothing else is on the tube, but I wouldn't sit surfing the TV for hours looking for it. It's cute, endearing, and sweet...but not earth-shattering. Great for girls who don't like to have to worry about sex scenes and language, especially. I'll give it a 6 out of 10, which means that I've decided to like it. :)

Light fare for the lonely set

[lel513 · 7/10 · 23 April 2005]

Saw this movie this afternoon and liked it, mostly because I don't have a girlfriend or very much social life and this lets me vicariously live a simple dating life. No sex, not much real conflict, just two people who like each other slowly falling in love. Yes, there is a whole story line about another guy Abby(the main character) must deal with, a story line that I must say was unexpected and a bit on the strange side. I wouldn't have minded if that part of the movie was left out completely, because all I was looking for on a Saturday afternoon was a quiet movie without much real depth. I also didn't really care for the stoner best friend, although his humor was rather harmless.

What really kept me glued to the set was the character of Abby(played by Shiri Appleby). If I could design my dream girl, complete with looks and personality, it would be this girl down to a t. She is extremely beautiful and in the movie is shy, sweet, and loves art. I wish a girl like that actually existed in the real world, but I doubt I will find anything close. Anyway watching her on screen was bliss and I would watch Shiri in any movie all day long. I didn't really like her love interest(Nick Zano). He does the traditional guy transformation in romantic comedies. He starts out very stupid and uncaring, but changes to an intelligent, sensitive guy in the end. Oh the fantasy. I guess though Abby has such a powerful effect on him he must change.

In the end this movie was a nice fluff movie to watch when your lonely and need to go into other peoples lives when you don't have one. I would recommend it to people who need that fix.

One of my guilty pleasures every year!

[krispiccone · 7/10 · 2 December 2020]

I don't write too many reviews but I thought I'd add one for this holiday favorite of mine. It's not the best written plot or the best acting but I get a kick out of the slapstick humor from Will Friedle and also the leads have a cute chemistry together. It's cheese all the way but I love it just the same! If your in the mood for a cute holiday movie, this one hits the spot!

Formulaic &Trying Too Hard

[uppmtimo-54229 · 2/10 · 8 November 2019]

I saw this movie under a different name "Love Surreal". Anyway, I wanted to enjoy this movie; I've seen many romcoms. I kept watching because of the casting (one star for each of the leads). The writing was so poor; I mean the premise was quirky to begin with. The soundtrack unconnected, kinda ruined the whole effect.

very good

[jewelch · 7/10 · 12 April 2021]

To be honest, if my wife and I didn't know from the start she had an imaginary boyfriend, than yes, it would have been very confusing. But, since we were aware of that, this movie was really cute! Goofy, sweet, and adorable! Even though Quinns roommate was... how should I put it... odd.. that can be overlooked. Had a few weird/inappropriate-ish remarks, but nothing ridiculous. This movie was a really cute one, the acting was good, story line was sweet, and it was funny in it's own way! Well worth watching, James Welch Henderson, Arkansas 4/11/2021.

Unexpectedly funny

[lampwright · 20 July 2006]

A charming romantic comedy with the lovely Sheri Appleby, who has to chose between the perfect boyfriend and one that has the advantage of being real. Sheli Appleby, Liz from TV's Roswell, was extraordinarily lovely, and there's a funny sub plot concerning her roommate's attempt to keep her job at a bookstore. All this was sweet, but nothing earthshaking. The movie had an unexpected bonus, however, in the form of the hero's roommate Cal (played by Wil Freidle, voice of Ron Stoppable from Kim Possible.) The interaction between crazy Cal and the more straight-laced Quin was hilarious, particularly in scenes such as the two of them arguing about who would turn out the light in their apartment, or trying to practice street hockey. I laughed until tears flowed down my cheeks. Definitely worth watching!

Awful Movie

[alessandra_alecsa · 1/10 · 1 November 2008]

I don't know why all the previous comments are approval of this movie. IT IS , well not by far but...,THE SUCKIEST MOVIE I'VE SEEN LATELY, full of clichés, bad acting, actually no...very bad acting and has a silly plot...If I would have seen it in a cinema I would have walked out after the first 20 minutes. I f you hate somebody , make him/her watch this movie...that's how bad it is. A girl who has an imaginary boy/friend that gives up a relationship with a real one because her imagination is jealous....but i think it figures...she takes after her parents who also have some mental issues...plus the character who is supposed to be I think the laughing stock of it, the thing that should make you laugh, cal's room mate is a serious nut case and just makes me feel sorry for him...and the whole movie

Why not the big screen?

[chicana_tigre · 9/10 · 11 January 2007]

When I saw this movie, I found myself wondering: Why didn't this ever come out on the big screen. In a world where the only romantic comedies are vulgar and usually disturbing, why can't there be one or two family movies that are fun for adults as well as youth.

I recommend this movie to anyone, men, women, old, young and everything in between. The directing and editing were seamless and the soundtrack was perfectly cued.

I want to urge movie makers everywhere to make more family shows that don't make you fall asleep from boredom, or gasp and cover your children's eyes and ears.

Yes, this film is what you want, if you adore romantic comedy

[inkblot11 · 7/10 · 13 February 2013]

Abby (Shiri Appleby) is an art student at a university and quite talented. When she was a child, her parents dropped her off, most summers, at her Aunt Edna's remote Montana ranch. Having few friends and not a lot to do, she devoted herself to making pictures with her crayons. She also "made up" something else, an imaginary boyfriend named Sy (Orlando Seale), who she still clings to. If the day goes wrong, she converses with Sy, who is very real to her, obviously, and she often tells her small circle of pals that she has a boyfriend. As can be expected, her roommate, Jessica (Alexandra Holden) thinks this is absurd. Both ladies work at a Borders bookstore, Abby as a barista and Jess as a cashier and book adviser. Out of the blue, Jess asks Abby to help tutor her cousin, Quinn (Nick Zano) who is struggling through an art appreciation class. Whoa, Abby is in the same class and she detests this young man! But, after some fervent pleas, Abby agrees. As the two students get to know one another better, the ice begins to thaw, as they say, which upsets Sy immensely! Will Abby finally realize that human relationships are far better than imaginary ones? This is a sweet film, told with humor and skill. There have been, admittedly, various variations on this theme in recent years, but its still very pleasing for the usual fans. The cast is nice, despite being relatively unknown, while the setting, costumes, script and direction all result in a good-looking and well-made little television movie. For those who seek out this one, oh romcom admirers, it will definitely bring you exactly what you want.

Ouch! That was bad!

[TheDome81 · 2/10 · 9 March 2024]

I had high hopes going into this movie. Actually, I lied. I was just looking for something mindless to watch to take my mind off the workout I was doing. I hop on a rowing machine every morning and watch a movie. It usually takes my mind off what I'm doing . But this movie was so bad, I couldn't take y eyes off the screen.

The acting was absolutely atrocious. It's one thing to make a little indie film with some newer actors. But these folks were just plain awful. And it didn't help that the writing was terrible as well. I don't know what film the other reviewers were watching, but it couldn't be this one. Either that or they've never seen a decent rom-com before in their lives.

Avoid this one at all costs. It was the rare film that I didn't finish. I just didn't care what happened to the folks in it!

MovieJunkieMark.

Sweet an sentimental piece

[tamlk33 · 8/10 · 18 April 2005]

This movie has all of the elements of a cute romance. It was totally predictable with a small twist at the end, however I found it very entertaining for a Sunday night. The characters were not incredibly deep, but thank you to the makers of this short, to-the-point romance for creating a cute movie for my children and myself to enjoy without the fear of violence, inappropriateness, and any of the other garbage in movies today. The roommate and the mother provided the movie with entertaining wit that we found refreshing. The fact that the main character had a totally fantastic imaginary boyfriend is completely believable, right? Nevertheless, there were many enjoyable funny parts to this movie,and we liked it very much!

It's a romantic comedy because....

[boblipton · 6/10 · 17 April 2005]

A decently executed romantic comedy, this takes a highly delusional young woman who spends much of her spare time with an imaginary boyfriend. Then she encounters a handsome young man, charming, honest and, of course, they conceive an immediate dislike for each other. Since this made-for-TV movie is in a two-hour time slot, we know it will take about seventy-five minutes of screen time for them to fall in love.

This could, of course, be played for tragedy, but not on ABC Family, so we have lots of comic relief around the personable but stolid leads: her nutty parents (her mother is played by Edie McClurg) and his stoner roommate.

There is a tremendous amount of talent hiding in the corners of this movie and the unifying theme is how art reflects their lives. This is clearly intended by people in their fifties to appeal to young people they know nothing about. Occasionally it is ham-handed, but sometimes it shows the occasional flash of wit. Still, the need to keep things light dims the impact of the characters' emotional problems and the touch of reality that might have elevated this into a superior work.

Fun Movie

[herrcarter-92161 · 7/10 · 22 September 2023]

I found this movie to be a lot of fun. The relationship between Abby and Quinn was good. I felt like they had a decent amount of chemistry, though I thought he was a bit too much of a jerk at the beginning. But that's all part of the rom-com formula. The couple usually has to start out the relationship a bit combatively.

Was it weird that a grown woman was still hanging onto a childhood imaginary friend, and that he was her ersatz boyfriend, preventing her from any real relationships? Yes. Was it a bit much that Quinn was so angry at her after he found out that her "boyfriend" Sy had been imaginary the whole time? Yes. I would rather think that he would consider her a little crazy, rather than be angry at her. Was it odd that such a beautiful, nice, intelligent girl as Abby would have a hard time finding a real boyfriend? Yes. You could blame it on her childhood where she grew up with parents who left her alone for extended periods, without any other kids to play with. But that's a real stretch. Was it a little over-the-top when Quinn and his roommate impersonate corporate suits to intimidate Abby's roommate's boss? Yes. Okay, you have to take a lot of things in this movie with a grain of salt. But once you do, it's a pretty enjoyable movie.

The movie has some decent comedic scenes, particularly those involving Quinn's bizarre roommate Calvin. He's endearingly quirky and just on the edge of annoying, but he can be hilarious. I read that this movie was adapted from a play, and I think that some of the elements of this story would work better on the stage than on the screen.

This film isn't out to win any Oscars. At best, it's on the level of a decent Hallmark movie. But it's fun, escapist entertainment, with likable, mostly relatable characters and decent performances. And it has a romantic couple that you can root for and feel good about getting together. Definitely worth a watch.

A Different, Appeal Movie With a Few Bumps

[tabuno · 7/10 · 16 January 2019]

4 August 2013. Romantic comedies are a fascinating genre which typically incorporates some drama along with the comedy. Finding an appealing balance is an essential element of a successful romantic comedy. In love surreal, the driving theme in this movie is "an imaginary friend," and the subsequent issue of mental illness or not along with the pleasant comedic irony that supposedly results throughout the movie. This movie handles the idea of "an imaginary friend" very well avoiding the more serious issue of "craziness" at least with respect to the audience. The main problem with the movie is the "dorkiness" element and unlike Real Genius (1985) has really plays with the idea of nerdiness as cerebral comedy. In Love Surreal, the dumb sidekick seems too unbalanced as a simpleton, turning some of the movie and its tone into a slapstick stereotype that fits uneasily and unnecessarily into the more focused and compelling romantic comedy relational triangle between Abby, Quinn, and Sly.

The addition of the third character (albeit an imaginary one) creates sufficient electricity that another sidekick character is rather overkill especially considering Abby's eccentric parents and complicates the rich comedic simplicity of the rest of the movie. Other more even and successful romantic comedies focus on singular intriguing movie elements such as "magic" in Simply Irresistible (1999), Bewitched (2005), Mannequin (1987); "superpowers" in My Super Ex-Girlfriend (2006); "luck" in Just My Luck (2006), Lucky You (2007); "social class" in Maid in Manhattan (2002), Working Girl (1988), Sabrina (1954); sexual identity in Tootsie (1982). Love Surreal for the most part is a fascinating and touching psychological romantic movie that unfolds well with some speed bumps.

Good Film, waiting for DVD release

[mayvinfilm · 10/10 · 25 April 2005]

I really liked this film. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I related to a romantic comedy, but the characters reminded me of not only people I know, but also a bit of myself. Granted, I wouldn't go as far as Abby does in the show, but I think her situation can be extended to the way we all have unrealistic ideals of life, and how important it is to do the best we can while dealing with the situations we face in real life. I've seen the film a couple times now on TV and I can't wait to add it to my DVD library. I thought the acting was good and the music was great. If you haven't seen it yet, check the listings to find the next showing, or wait for the DVD.

This has to be one of my favorite movies

[mollypop92 · 10/10 · 9 April 2007]

If you're looking for Oscar level acting and deep, thought-provoking themes, Everything You Want is not the movie for you. I'll just get that out in the open. Nonetheless, it is an excellent movie, with humorous, likable characters, fun and romantic moments, and a good message. Not to mention that it's clean...a rarity in the romantic comedy genre. You could watch this with your kids and not have anything to worry about, with the exception of a mumbled choice word or two.

Abby Morrison (Shiri Appleby) is your typical art student; goes to class, hangs out with her roommate Jessica (Alexandra Holden), paints in her spare time, and works at the local Barnes and Noble. Oh, and she has an imaginary boyfriend named Sy (Orlando Seale). No, Abby is far from ordinary. She created the character of Sy as a child when she got lonely at her Aunt Edna's. Sy has always been the "ideal" boyfriend, going with her to romantic movies and bringing her flowers on no occasion.

Abby's life flips upside down when she meets Quinn (Nick Zano), an annoying law student in her art history class. Through a series of events, Abby ends up reluctantly agreeing to tutor Quinn. I won't spoil any of these reasons in this synopsis, but needless to say, Abby isn't too ecstatic about having to tutor Quinn all semester for a class he hates. But no sooner is she huffing at Quinn's irritating personality than she is getting confused about her feelings for him (and for Sy), blurring the lines between what's real and what's imaginary.

I highly recommend this movie for anyone who enjoys a happy, predictable film. I'm a confessed chick-flick addict, but this movie has more to it than just the simple boy-loves-girl-but-can't-have-her plot. Add to the mix some hilarious characters, including Abby's roommate Jessica and Quinn's roommate Cal (played by a hysterical Will Friedle), and you have a great movie to cuddle up with on a rainy afternoon. You'll get some laughs out of this little-known, wonderful movie. Actually, I rented it once after seeing it on TV and I watched it several times before returning it to the video store. Now I own it!

Happy, Serious, Funny, and E.Y.W.

[D_n · 8/10 · 17 February 2007]

I generally like simple romantic "fluff" films, but anyone who takes this wonderful tale as merely a college kids' love story is missing a lot.

First, Shiri Appleby was perfectly cast as the cute, naive, slightly odd art "student". She carried the role wonderfully, like a girl that I would truly want to get to know and ask out. Her interaction with her pretty but very ditsy blonde roommate Alexandra (Jessica Lindstrom) was both real and wonderfully timed, both actresses showing interaction and chemistry that you don't usually find in light romantic stuff.

Fellow art student and aspiring boy friend Quinn (Nick Zano) did a good job as the somewhat shy "hunk", but came off as a bit too "neanderthal" for a pre-law student, unless I don't remember what pre-laws were like. Could be this was intentional, since he seems to blossom as the film progresses. The sound track is apt, enjoyable, and counterpoints the film's action wonderfully.

Up to this point, the film would get a mere "6" for "I enjoyed it".

However, what pushes over the top IMAO are three things: Quinn's fully weird roomie Canadian Cal (Will Friedle) whose antics and delivery made me laugh out loud; Abbi's (Appleby) parents, George & Mary (Scott Wilkinson & Edie McClurg) who were the perfect foils for both roomie Alex's ditsiness and roomie Cal's weirdness; and the underlying theme of "surrealism".

George & Mary's odd antics suddenly catch you and force you to see that "weird and ditsy" is neither undesirable nor merely an aside, but that people can be truly happy within their own world. More, as events in the story continue, we see that Cal and Alex -- who never interact oddly enough -- are neither of them as dumb or weird as we are first let to believe.

This sub-theme, as well as the repeated hints about surrealism, subtly hint that it's OK, even laudable to live in your own dreams, as long as you are able to touch the real world. As Quinn says as he begins to awaken to the art world, "surrealism has less to do with what is random and senseless, and more to do with accepting that our lives don't always have to make sense." This film is a sleeper, sorta sneaks up on you, and you'll remember this one long after the final credits fade. Speaking of, is it mere coincidence that Alex only goes out with boys named "Ryan", and the film's most able director's ALSO Ryan (Little)? I think not! In fact, this is only one of many, many things that are not what they seem, but carry double ( and more ) entendres.

8/10, for "would see it again", "made me laugh out loud", and "made me think".

Sweet romantic film with lots of laughs

[tamarin1988 · 9/10 · 18 September 2006]

This movie was fun to watch. I was so surprised to find out that Sy was surreal. The writers were very clever to give hints before letting us know for sure, it really added to the drama. The actors were believable and funny and the movie had a classic romance with a very different twist. Will Friedle was absolutely hilarious. Abby's parents were so comical too which made the movie more lighthearted than if they had only been represented as the mean people who left her with Aunt Edna while vacationing. Abby's roommate's penchant for dating only guys named Ryan was another original comedic element. This is not a deep movie but a light diversion for those who want to be amused and relaxed. This is not an intense drama but a clever comedy with lots of unique style. Fans of A Cinderella Story and The Princess Diaries will enjoy this one although you should be warned that, unlike those family features, some dialogue in Everything You Want is inappropriate for a family viewing.

I knew there was a reason i liked Shiri

[M0non0ke · 10/10 · 17 April 2005]

First of let me say that i am easily pleased. Second, that i love this film. Shiri is great as Abbi, and the actor Nick is OK but i don't really think he is my favorite part of the movie. Where as Sy, Orlando Sele is wonderful. I never really liked him much in p and p, but he redeemed himself with this picture. The story follows Abbi as she trys to come to terms with real life vs. imaginary life. She has a 'boyfriend' who is perfect, and English. Abbi is happy with her life until she meets 'Nick' a boy from her art class who doesn't understand, well art. He is having trouble passing and because he is the cousin of Abbi's roommate she somehow ends up teaching him how to understand art. Then all of a sudden she realizes she is falling for him, but what happens to Sy??? and why is it no one else has ever met Sy? Who is Sy? And who will she choose? Anywho it's a great film. I really enjoyed it. A bit childish but funny and cute. And if you are a Shiri or Orlando fan it's a must.

A tremendously good movie

[aubsicle · 9/10 · 29 March 2006]

I saw this movie back at a screening in beautiful Hollywood on Rodeo Drive. It's based off of a play, Sy's Girls, written by a good friend of mine, Natalie Prado, when she was in college. I loved the movie from the first time I saw it. I recorded it when it was on ABC Family even though it had been edited for time. I am so excited that it is being released on DVD finally! Oh-and the music is great!

The story line is great. You can't help but fall in love with all the characters, even the main characters mother who you will recognize from. The stayed true to the original play by having the characters have strong and deep attributes, personalities etc. And while there are things missing from the play it is still fabulous.

If you can ever get you hands on a copy of the play, which is extremely hard, you will love it-especially if you read it with friends and have people play the parts.

everything i want.. good strong name for the movie, completely symbolizes it

[memorys_fade · 8/10 · 19 November 2005]

i watched this movie the day after me and my boyfriend made love for the first time, also after expressing that we loved each other for the first time. i thought it was a great movie, and it could help a lot of people and give them hope. mainly people who are very lonely and don't have anybody to really care for them. like how Quinn kinda freaked when he found out Abby's 'imaginary' boyfriend Simon wasn't 'real'.. he was real to her, and she never had anything else to compare him to so how else was she to go about it. i can relate to this completely, only my guy was real, just the love wasn't, and we never met because he lived thousands of miles away, but the love and the care felt real, until i found the real thing(again). it was one of those sappy movies but i love how Quinn's character changed throughout the movie, to a pompous jerk to a sensitive, caring, art loving guy. all in all, good movie and recommend it to anyone having trouble trusting people and letting them self get close. also just those who like a comedic/romantic movie with a good ending.

Thoroughly enjoyed!

[brandydenise1974 · 9/10 · 13 December 2018]

If you are looking for a movie that does exactly what a movie should do - entertain and uplift - you've found it. After a long day at work, I just want to relax and forget my problems...and while predictable (which is why I gave a 9 instead of 10), it delivered exactly what I wanted: To simply be entertained. The cast did a great job of bringing the characters to life and making them completely believable.

Good solid Rom-Com movie for lazy weekend

[hqfedlegion-1 · 10/10 · 2 October 2019]

I am coming late to this party, after only recently seeing this on You-Tube. I don't know if I would have appreciated as much when it came out as I do now.

I don't try and read subtext on a movie, I enjoy for the unreality; meaning I know this is not going to be real. Does it deal with real mental health issues? Maybe. Or sometimes we keep clinging to something because its safe and its all we know. Like Linus and his blanket.

I took this movie the way it was presented; a girl has an imaginary perfect (English) boyfriend that helps her from being lonely until a real boy shows up. Eventually she has to choose. Throw in unique parents and unique friends, and it's a recipe for unreality; in other words, a good movie.

I give it credit for a more unique idea of how two people get together. Also, it shows that perfection, even imaginary is not as good as the reality of having someone, even if they are imperfect.

The music is also something that makes a movie and it did here also.

A good solid room-com movie.

Cute

[jkuun96 · 8/10 · 21 February 2019]

This is the type of film this romantic heart of mine likes. It's the type you can watch with your girlfriend. Not coarse, no swearing, no sex or nudity. It's not very original either. From the beginning you know how it will end. In that sense it is cliché, but I like these cliches.

The actors were very good and the supporting cast alright.

This is your stereotypical cliche but fun romantic movie.

And there's some message about growing up and accepting imperfection mixed in.