Originally created to create awareness for Niemann-Pick Type C, a rare degenerative illness, Imagine is told through the eyes of Millie, a sufferer of the condition, as she dreams and deteriorates.

The main purpose of the film is to inform, and it achieves that purpose. Shifting between the medical, individual and familial impact of the disease, the film offers a multi-faceted view of Niemann-Pick Type C and its effects on not only Millie but her parents. In one of the more poignant scenes, Millie’s parents clash on the topic of an expensive, experimental treatment which they cannot afford as Millie’s father has had to shift to part-time work for fear of Millie having an unexpected seizure. The conflict threatens both Millie and her family from the inside. As for Millie herself, child actress Maisy Nixon gives a solid performance in a challenging role, helping to ensure a clear explaination of the symptoms of the illness, which includes decreased mobility, speech problems, memory issues and seizures.

Unfortunately, this performance is hindered by the script, which suffers from the common script-writing mistake of equating any preteen to being at the level of a small child. That ten year-old Millie is still staying ‘Mummy’ and ‘Daddy’ – taking into account that she is a year shy of secondary school – is jarring. Given that the tragedy of the story is that Millie’s dreams can never come to fruition, to stunt Millie as she tries to connect with the viewer – which is otherwise very emotionally frank and even rather mature – is counterproductive. The two points that best create emotional intimacy between the audience and Millie are the two scenes where Millie’s voiceover is not used: a bedroom conversation with her parents regarding a new treatment, and Millie’s dream.

While it is understandable that Millie’s innocence and confusion is highlighted, it is done so at the expense of her individuality. The use of blur creates a heavy disconnect between Millie and her surroundings, which should theoretically draw her close to the viewer. Instead, it isolates her and seems more wasteful than anything. A ten-minute film doesn’t really have space for frequent blurring and distorted sound, particularly not when it seeks to inform. Ironically, the attempt to highten the tragedy of the film is exactly what dampens its emotional fuse.

If you are interested in watching ‘Imagine’, you can find it at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gVcI_0T5l4&t=473s

If you would like to learn more about Niemann-Pick Type C, please visit: http://www.niemann-pick.org.uk/