Me Myself I

Based on the popularity of the TV show, "Six Feet Under", Rachel Griffiths is now getting the popular and critical recognition she deserves. But to really appreciate her breadth as an actress you must watch some of her earlier films, and "Me Myself I" is a good candidate. For one, it's almost a one-woman show, and Griffiths actually plays two parts.

We all wonder what would have happened if we'd made a critical life-decision differently. Driven, single professional, Pamela Drury (Griffiths), gets the chance to actually experience this 'what if'. Through some weird event, Pamela is thrust into an alternate reality where her new life is as if she had married her childhood sweetheart and settled down to some serious homemaking. At the same time, her double (the homemaker from the parallel reality), trades places with her and assumes the life of a single professional. I know it's confusing, and I can't explain it any better. If it sounds intriguing, rent the movie.

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.

Compare the hollywoodian 'bigger than life' approach of "The Family Man" -- luxurious flat/sports car/supermodel girlfriend vs perfect family, nice house, lovely wife -- with down-to-earth approach of "Me Myself I" -- single professional woman living alone vs housewife in the suburbia. That's a script: about credible characters, a touching slice of life, real people. A pleasure to watch.

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.