Imagine I'm Beautiful (2014) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

Lana seeks belonging in Brooklyn, but grief, blurred boundaries, and a concealed affair destabilize her new relationships.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

Starting Over in Brooklyn

Lana moves from Utah to Brooklyn with little besides cash and rents a room from a guarded woman. She tries to find work and adapt to an initially strained household.

Key Events

• Lana Arrives in Brooklyn — Lana moves from Utah with cash and little else, hoping to start a new life. Characters: Lana Brauer Location: Brooklyn
• A Room in a Tense Household — Lana rents a room from a guarded woman whose former boyfriend has recently moved out. Characters: Lana Brauer Location: Brooklyn apartment
• An Uneasy Start — Lana's roommate is impatient with her as Lana tries to settle into the apartment. Characters: Lana Brauer Location: Brooklyn apartment
• Lana Finds Work — Lana finds work while attempting to establish a life in the city. Characters: Lana Brauer Location: Brooklyn

Tension and Vulnerability

Natasha's arrival at the apartment provokes conflict with Lana's roommate. Lana later shares the grief of finding her mother after her death by suicide and the loss of her pregnancy.

Key Events

• Natasha Seeks Help — After a night out, Natasha calls Lana in distress, and Lana invites her over. Characters: Lana Brauer Location: Brooklyn apartment
• A Guest Is Ordered Out — Lana's roommate discovers Natasha in the apartment and orders her to leave. Characters: Lana Brauer Location: Brooklyn apartment
• Lana Shares Her Grief — Lana tells her roommate that she found her mother after her death by suicide. Characters: Lana Brauer Location: Brooklyn apartment
• The Lost Pregnancy — Lana also reveals that she lost a pregnancy when she was five months along. Characters: Lana Brauer Location: Brooklyn apartment

Closeness and Interference

Lana and her roommate grow closer, while Lana's connection with Massi becomes romantic. Lana tries to help her roommate reconnect with her former boyfriend, but her involvement is resented.

Key Events

• A Friendship Takes Shape — After Lana opens up, she and her roommate let each other closer and spend time together. Characters: Lana Brauer Location: Brooklyn
• Lana Grows Close to Massi — Lana's friendship with her Argentinian neighbor Massi develops into a romance. Characters: Lana Brauer, Massi Location: Brooklyn
• An Attempt to Reconcile — Lana contacts her roommate's former boyfriend and encourages the former couple to work things out. Characters: Lana Brauer Location: Brooklyn
• The Roommate Rejects Interference — Lana's roommate resents her involvement and says each woman should handle her own problems. Characters: Lana Brauer Location: Brooklyn

The Birthday Rupture

The roommate and her former boyfriend reconnect at a picnic, but the strain between them persists. Lana's affair with him is revealed at her birthday gathering, leaving Massi and the roommate hurt and angry.

Key Events

• The Picnic Reconnection — At a picnic, Lana's roommate and her former boyfriend reconnect, though their strain remains unresolved. Location: Picnic
• Lana and the Former Boyfriend — Lana and her roommate's former boyfriend begin sleeping together, believing it may help the roommate recover. Characters: Lana Brauer Location: Not specified
• A Birthday Announcement — Lana thanks her roommate for easing her loneliness, then announces the affair in front of their friends. Characters: Lana Brauer, Massi Location: Birthday gathering
• The Gathering Falls Apart — Massi is furious, Lana's roommate tells the former boyfriend to leave, and the relationships are left in crisis. Characters: Lana Brauer, Massi Location: Birthday gathering

Story Breakdown

• A New Brooklyn Life — Lana leaves Utah and tries to build a life in a new city.
  • Leaving Utah — Lana arrives in Brooklyn with cash and little else.
  • Finding Work — She finds work while trying to settle into the city.
• The Shared Apartment — Lana's new living arrangement begins with impatience and tension.
  • A Guarded Roommate — Lana rents a room from a guarded woman whose former boyfriend has moved out.
  • Natasha's Visit — Lana invites Natasha over after she calls in distress, prompting the roommate to order Natasha out.
• Lana's Private Grief — Lana reveals painful events from her past as the housemates become closer.
  • Her Mother's Death — Lana says she found her mother after her mother died by suicide.
  • The Lost Pregnancy — Lana shares that she lost a pregnancy when she was five months along.
• New Emotional Bonds — Lana develops closeness with her roommate and a romantic connection with Massi.
  • Growing Friendship — Lana and her roommate begin spending time together and letting each other closer.
  • Romance with Massi — Lana's friendship with her Argentinian neighbor develops into romance.
• A Failed Intervention — Lana tries to help her roommate and her former boyfriend reconcile, but the effort creates friction.
  • Contacting the Ex — Lana contacts the former boyfriend and encourages the pair to work things out.
  • A Boundary Dispute — The roommate resents the interference and says each woman should handle her own problems.
• The Affair and Fallout — A hidden relationship comes into the open and leaves the central friendships and romance in crisis.
  • Picnic Reconnection — The former couple reconnects at a picnic, though their strain remains unresolved.
  • Birthday Disclosure — Lana announces that she has been sleeping with the former boyfriend at her birthday gathering.
  • Relationships in Crisis — Massi reacts angrily, the roommate tells the former boyfriend to leave, and the gathering collapses.

Directed by

Meredith Edwards

Key Cast

• Naomi McDougall Jones — Lana Brauer
• Katie Morrison — Kate Graham
• Jan Kutrzeba — Geoff
• Lucas Salvagno — Massi
• Susan Wands — Dorothy Brauer