This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the film being reviewed here wouldn’t exist.
Faced with an unexpected pregnancy, Cheyenne, a fallen-away musician, flees in the night from her abusive boyfriend, Alex. She arrives in her hometown where she reconnects with her embittered, sickly mother. The next morning, Cheyenne wakes to find her mother dead. While settling the shabby family estate, Cheyenne is forced to confront some family secrets, and make life-altering decisions.
A Song For Imogene is written and directed by Erika Arlee. Her desire was to provide a voice to the voiceless women who are dealing with poverty, emotional and physical abuse, and trauma in those off-the-map places. And she succeeds with an assured feature debut.
Cheyenne finds herself escaping one trap only to find herself stuck in another one. Constantly swimming against the tide, with life seemingly conspiring against her, she must decide if she has the strength to break free once and for all. Time to sink or swim.
The film is the epitome of a slow burn. Similar to the crescendo of Delta Dawn, the song Cheyenne was known for performing, the story is heading to that climactic moment where the two former lovers meet and Cheyenne finally stands up for herself. The narrative however takes its time in building to it. There are other obstacles placed in front of her but they do feel at times like distractions and detours along the road to the ultimate destination.
Despite the two characters spending the majority of the screen time apart, the script and the performances provide all the back story the audience needs to get a full sense of their relationship, and the effect it has had on Cheyenne.
Kristi Ray delivers a powerful performance, portraying a woman who has suffered years of manipulation, gaslighting and all forms of abuse. The scars, both physical and emotional, are there to see in her behaviour with others and also the quiet moments of solitude.
Her abuser is played by Haydn Winston, who does an excellent job in effectively making the audience hate his character and wish for a happy ending for Cheyenne.
Credit is also due to Nic True for his cinematography. It is crisp, clean and breathes light and life into the darkness.
Despite a narrative that becomes muddied during the second act, the cathartic climax where the protagonist attempts to pull themselves out of the quagmire proves a new dawn for A Song For Imogene.
Rating: 
Director: Erika Arlee
Stars: Kristi Ray, McKenzie Barwick, Haydn Winston
Runtime: 103 minutes
Country: USA
