Simu Liu and Cristin Milioti voice a “strained couple” in the new animated feature “In Your Dreams,” a film that explores the impact of marital conflict on children. The film, opening Friday, is an adventure-comedy that follows the couple’s children on a magical quest to “fix” their relationship.
Milioti, an Emmy and Grammy winner, highlighted a duet she performs with Liu as a key moment. The song, which she called “really great” and “beautiful,” shows the “strained couple in harmony,” providing a glimpse of the love the children are fighting to save.
This realistic portrayal of a family in crisis is what attracted Simu Liu. The ‘Shang-Chi’ star was “fascinated” by the idea of showing a “real family that argues,” rejecting the “not true” trope of the “always happy” family. He believes “it’s important” for kids to see “imperfect” families.
The film, directed by Pixar alum Alex Woo, also stars Craig Robinson as Baloney Tony, a stuffed animal. The plot follows siblings Stevie (Jolie Hoang-Rappaport) and Elliot (Elias Janssen) as they seek The Sandman for a magical cure.
The film’s message, however, is that there is no magical cure. Stevie must learn that “there is no magic solution to real-life problems.” “In Your Dreams” delivers a powerful, honest story about a “strained couple” and the children who love them.
