Mein Leben auf zwei Wegen

Me, Myself, I combines two genres of romantic comedy: the "body swap" with the "what if?" story (you know, Dating the Enemy meets Sliding Doors). The film flounders a little in the first twenty minutes or so as it establishes Pamela (Rachel Griffiths), single and luckless in love. Pamela is a journalist, and has just met a fellow writer (Sandy Winton) who seems to be the perfect mate. Until she sees him with his kids... Pamela is wondering what her life would have been like if she'd married high school sweetheart Robert Dickson (David Roberts) when WHAM! she's hit by a car. She comes to in the arms of married Pamela (also Rachel Griffiths) who takes her home to her suburban house, three kids and married life with Robert.

This is writer-director Pip Karmel's first feature (she received an Oscar nomination for editing Shine). Karmel is obviously close to her material, but she's not overly protective of it - she wants us to enjoy her conception. She has the perfect star in Rachel Griffiths, who we're more used to seeing in supporting roles (most famously, Muriel's Wedding and Hilary and Jackie). She carried a film in Amy, but she played a glum, washed-out single mum. Here, she's a lot of fun. You want to know more about Pamela, and the subtle differences between the single and married Pamelas are simply, but impressively, conceived. She's well supported by David Roberts and Sandy Winton, as husband and potential boyfriend. Refreshingly for a romantic comedy, the men aren't thoroughly likeable or dislikeable. I found it easy to suspend my disbelief with Me, Myself, I. It's that rare beast: an Australian romantic comedy that's funny, and leaves you with a warm glow inside when it's over.

ME MYSELF I (2000) **1/2 Rachel Griffiths, David Roberts, Sandy Winton, Yael Stone, Shaun Loseby, Trent Sullivan. (Dir: Pip Karmel) Rachel Griffiths has always struck me as a lankier, sexier déjà vu of Juliette Lewis, but with more sublimity than her American compatriot. The Australian actress – who received a Best Supporting Actress nomination in 1998 for 'Hilary and Jackie' – has always been interesting to observe onscreen since I first noticed her in the indie surprise hit 'Muriel's Wedding'. Here she gets to be funny and succeeds more often than the film itself.

Griffiths stars as Pamela, a self-observed Type A writer for a woman's magazine that is always on the go and busy even on her birthday which proves to be a hindrance than a blessed event when she begins to sink into suicidal depression over the latest break up in a string of faceless, nameless lovers with no satisfying reason to continue her breakneck freestyling life. After several hilarious half-hearted attempts to do herself in (including the gradual lowering of a hair drier into her bubble bath) her wish comes true when she is knocked unconscious after walking into oncoming traffic. When she awakens she isn't herself but instead her fantasy self – a married woman with three children wed to her high school crush Robert (Roberts) – and finds the sudden change to be challenging but in the end rewarding.

Along the way she comes across sexy Ben (Winton) from her previous existence again and must decide on being a stay at home writer or a freestyling single with an active sex life.

Throughout Griffiths is winning as the new found mother juggling her tykes, writing and her husband – all experiencing a new and improving person as well. But the film's familiarity – from 'It's A Wonderful Life' to the Gwyneth Paltrow flick 'Sliding Doors' – ends up derailing the storyline altogether even if it is presented with a lot of energy.

This movie is a true hidden gem. I cannot say too strongly - see it, see it see it. The premise of the movie might seem a little strained... and perhaps also overused - it's very much the same basic idea as the Nicholas Cage vehicle "Family Man", but with a female rather than a male protagonist. But this movie really works, on so many levels. Rachel Griffiths (Brenda from Six Feet Under) gives a lovely performance as the central figure, who finds herself at the verge of mid-life confronting and changing paths with an "alternate self". The movie is very funny in parts, in a slightly exaggerated but "spot on" way rather reminiscent of Bridget Jones' Diary. But I think this film actually manages to do as much in this way as BJD, whilst going considerably further in connecting with emotional realities and the sense of choices and consequences in life. It's not astoundingly deep, I guess. But it's very funny, moving and true. And fair, as well - it never gets preachy, or comes down with a trite "moral" on one side of a complex issue. I suppose the movie's most obvious appeal would be to women of a certain age either single and (to some degree) wishing they were married or married and (to some degree) wishing they were single. But I'd have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone.

If Rachel Griffiths keeps this up, she is going to be a potent force in feature films. She continues to show her versatility in both dramatic and comedic roles. This delightful comedy reinforces the notion that you need to be careful what you wish for. Pamela Drury (Rachel Griffiths) is a successful journalist whois having a mid life crisis as another birthday rolls around. She is afraid that despite all she has accomplished, she might have been happier if she married Robert Dickson and raised a family.

One day, through mechanisms unexplained other than the magic of cinema, she is hit by a car while crossing the street by her twin, Pamela Dickson, whom I can only assume is living in some parallel universe. Drury discovers that Dickson is actually living the life she wondered about, married to Robert with three children. Suddenly Dickson disappears, leaving Drury in her place. Now Pamela begins to discover the multidimensional joys of marriage and family from the front lines. She is so ill equipped for the experience, that it produces a parade of comical situations that range from mildly amusing to absolutely hysterical.

This is a virtuoso performance by Griffiths, who has impressed me in every role I've seen her play. She was outstanding in `Hillary and Jackie' delivering a compelling dramatic performance of a complex character in a supporting role. In this film, she has the lead and she runs with it. At various times she is called upon to be dynamic, sexy, compassionate, affectionate, independent, helpless and despondent and she handles this incredible range fabulously in every case. She is a terrific comedian with excellent timing and a knack for physical comedy.

This is a very funny and enchanting film. `What If' movies seem to be popping up everywhere lately, and this is the best one I've seen. I rated it a 9/10. It is extremely entertaining and I recommend it highly. It is a shame it didn't reach a wider audience.

I have been keeping a close eye on the rising career of Australian actress Rachel Griffiths. Of course she is best known in her role of Rhonda in the great Aussie film, ‘Muriel's wedding'. She certainly is talented, and continues to astound many TV and moviegoers around the world, who are captivated by what she can do onscreen. In the Aussie film ‘Me Myself I', Griffith's takes on a double role which she handles beautifully.

Pamela Drury is an attractive, intelligent thirty-something award winning Sydney journalist. Yet Pamela has missed the love boat, and is resigned to the odd porno flick and blind date. She could have had it all thirteen years ago, when she turned down ‘Mr. Right', Robert Dickson. On the edge of despair, Pamela literally collides with her other self - the Pamela who married Robert thirteen years ago - and comes complete with three kids, dog, goldfish and a white picket fence. When the married Pamela disappears, the career Pamela is left with the family she almost had, and the man she always wanted. As she struggles to cope with a family oblivious to the switch, she is challenged by poignant, humorous and ultimately enlightening experiences.

‘Me Myself I', is a film which you have to look at closely, to really enjoy. Its story while it might be simple to some degree has merit. The way we see Pamela go from one world to the next is quite good. The comparison to ‘Sliding Doors' is noticeable. Although it might not be as good as what Sliding Doors is, the way it uses the question of ‘what if?' in this story is pretty good. The director/Writer of ‘Me Myself I' was Pip Karmel. With Karmel, I got the feeling that she put some of her own life experiences into the story and in the character of Pamela. Pip has been a part of good movies such as Shine and Hearts in Atlantis.

There was a pretty good cast in this Australian movie. Griffith's is the standout performer in this one, as she takes on many facets to each side of her character. I like how we meet up with her two characters at the start and the end of the movie. Her husband Robert (David Roberts) was another interesting character. He really has to adjust to what the ‘other' Pamela is like. When he finds out what she wants, he is more than satisfied with her. Yet the young cast of the Dickson family was surprisingly good. I enjoy how the story focused on Stacey (Yael Stone), and how her mother helps her come to grips with womanhood. Then there is the funny scene with Douglas (Shaun Loseby), who is told in no uncertain manner that calling Mum a ‘dumb head' or the like is just not on. Yet the character of Rupert (Trent Sullivan) is most vital to the story, as he points out to the audience many times that he realises Pamela 2 is not his real mum. However, Pamela 2 does help him grow up immensely.

Outside of the Dickson family there are many interesting characters which we get to meet. The dinner scene is quite funny, as we get to see how sleazy a guy Geoff (Felix Williamson) really is, and that the other Pamela is as unfaithful as her own husband is. Then there is the character of Ben, who has taken a liking to Pamela 2. Pamela is strongly attracted to Ben (Sandy Winton), and she can not control her feelings towards him either.

This then leads me to the important lessons that this movie points out to its audience. The question of ‘What If?' is of great significance all the way through out the film, as Pamela 2 is thinking that at one stage ‘Why did I let you go?' in reference to Robert. Then in the blink of an eye, Pamela 2 is placed into the very situation that she thought she had lost 13 years ago. I am sure that we have all wondered at one stage or another, how a different decision might have effected our future. ‘Me Myself I' also asks other questions like ‘what is more important, a family or career?'. In the fantasy world that this film is set in, Pamela 2 gets to experience the best of both worlds. Then there is the idea of love and relationships. Pam and Robert both talk of how difficult their relationship/marriage has and continues to be. Pamela 2 also shows what effect a ‘risk' can or could have had on her life if she enters into a relationship or not. The rewards certainly outweigh the risks that were presented to her.

In conclusion, this was a very enjoyable film to watch, and while Rachel Griffiths has done many small-time films that we have probably all overlooked, she is one actress who demands that people take notice of. After seeing ‘Me Myself I', it has made me appreciate this Aussie gals talents all the more. I will continue to look out for her with keen interest in her upcoming movie roles. ‘Me Myself I' allows us all to look at who we really are, the ‘individual' that is inside us all. The finale to this one is a great look at just that. I also like the new remix on the song ‘Me Myself I', which was performed by Marie Wilson. Take the ‘risk' when you are next looking for a good Aussie film and view ‘Me Myself I'. You will kick yourself if you don't!

CMRS gives ‘Me Myself I': 4 (Very Good Film)