Everything You Want (2005)

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.

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.

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 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!