Can a child's imaginary world really predict the volatile swings of the financial market?
In short: In the 2009 fantasy comedy Imagine That, a high-powered financial advisor discovers his daughter possesses an uncanny ability to forecast stock market trends through her imaginary friends. As he exploits this supernatural insight to climb the corporate ladder, he must confront the cost of his own professional obsession.
Directed by Karey Kirkpatrick, Imagine That stars Eddie Murphy as Evan Danielson, a workaholic financial advisor whose career is threatened by a rival, Johnny Whitefeather. The film, which operated under the working title Nowhereland, centers on Danielson’s realization that his daughter, Olivia, played by Yara Shahidi, can predict market movements using her comfort blanket and a group of imaginary princesses. By interpreting the doodles she draws on his financial worksheets, Danielson successfully predicts the rise of ChemStar and the merger of Aerodyne and Yellowfin, securing his standing at his firm.
The production, which filmed between September and December 2007 in Denver and Los Angeles, struggled to find its footing upon release. Despite a $55 million budget, the film grossed only about $22.3 million worldwide. Critical reception was mixed; while some reviewers appreciated the disciplined performances of Murphy and Shahidi, others found the narrative predictable. Murphy himself has been candid about the film's commercial failure, even suggesting that the movie lacked the necessary elements to succeed at the box office.
Beyond the financial narrative, the film explores themes of parental neglect and the rediscovery of one's inner child. The plot culminates in a moment of personal growth for Danielson, who chooses to attend his daughter's school concert over a critical business presentation. This act of prioritizing his family over his career ultimately earns him the respect of his boss, D.D.E. owner Dante D'Enzo. The film’s score, composed by Mark Mancina, features an 83-piece ensemble and various Beatles covers, underscoring the whimsical nature of the story as the characters eventually learn to let go of their imaginary companions.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Imagine That (film)
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