A One Mann’s Movies review of “IF” (2024).
“IF” stands for “Imaginary Friend”. If in a year or twos time you are a parent picking a DVD for a sleepover, it’s vitally important that you don’t get this film muddled with either Lindsay Anderson’s “If” from 1968… or even worse, “It” from 2017!
Of all the films previewed in the first half of the year, THIS is the one that all of my older grandchildren have been looking forwards to. Will it appeal to them? Hmm… I’m not sure.
Bob the Movie Man Rating:
Plot Summary:
Bea (Cailey Fleming) is going through difficult times as her father (John Krazinksi) is in hospital for treatment. But she suddenly finds she has developed a skill – the ability to see ‘IFs’: the Imaginary Friends of childen who have now grown up and forgotten about them. She teams with a fellow ‘IF-seer’, Cal (Ryan Reynolds), and starts a service to reunite their charges with new kids who need IFs.
Certification:
UK: U; US: PG. (From the BBFC web site: “Very mild bad language, scary scenes, bereavement theme, rude humour”).
Talent:
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, John Krasinski, Cailey Fleming, Phoebe Waller Bridge, Louis Gossett Jr., George Clooney, Steve Carell, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Maya Rudolph, Jon Stewart, Sam Rockwell, Richard Jenkins, Awkwafina, Bradley Cooper, Blake Lively, Amy Schumer, Christopher Meloni.
Directed by: John Krasinski.
Written by: John Krasinski.
Twitter Handle: #IFMovie.
Running Time: 1h 44m.
“IF” Summary:
Positives:
- Some lovely touching moments that make you go “Ahhh”.
- Beautiful cinematography from Janusz Kaminski.
- A lovely performance from young Cailey Fleming.
Negatives:
- Seems to be trying to appeal to a very broad audience and not fully connecting with any.
- Ryan Reynolds didn’t quite gel in this for me.
Review of “IF”:
Spielbergian magic
The goal for the film-maker to shoot for in a film of this genre is “ET”. There are a few moments when the film succeeds in getting that vibe, helped along by some wonderful cinematography from Spielberg’s regular DP Janusz Kaminski. A keyhole scene, for example, is pure Spielberg and gave me chills. A finale scene managed to whip up some unexpected dust in the screening. And a wonderfully warm colour pallette all added to the film’s magical ambience.
Is it a kid’s movie for adults or an adult’s movie for kids?
I heard that John Krazinski wrote this film while watching his kids play during lockdown and wanted to capture that innocent ‘pretend play’ that adults tend to forget about. Cailey Fleming, at 17 years old, can’t convincingly play the TWELVE year old Bea. But besides that, she delivers a great performance and beautifully captures a girl who is on that cusp of becoming a teen and casting childish things aside. Sometimes she identifies as a grown up; sometimes she identifies as a kid; whichever suits her best!
The problem here is that the movie never felt to me like it had settled on its primary audience. “ET” was very much a film aimed at kids but which – rather like the plot in this film – re-triggered the kid within adults. “IF”, with its quite heavy sub-plot of potential orphaning and some deep and meaningful messaging about mental health, often feels squarely aimed at an adult audience. The slapstick ‘kid’s stuff’ then rather intervenes as an annoyance. Likewise, for a junior audience there probably isn’t enough of that in the film to fully entertain them and the ‘deep and meaningful’ stuff will go over their heads. So, for me, the film rather fell between the two stools. I’m looking forward to my four older grandkids (ages 6 to 9) going to see this so I can get a report back from them on how they found it. I feel another ‘One Mann’s Movies video review’ coming on!
Krasinski in saintly mode
Who are the “nice” people in Hollywood. Tom Hanks would be probably at the top of most people’s lists. But John Krasinski will be vying for the top spot as well. (I can imagine an unseemly tussle at the pearly gates between the two of them!) Krasinski only has a minor role in the film, but he comes across as the loving and wise-cracking Dad that you would expect him to be at home. It gives you a warm glow as well as giving a sense of peril in the story.
A smorgasbord of vocal talents
The great thing about Krazinski, and the fact that he has Emily Blunt as his wife, is that their combined phone list must be a whos who of everyone who is anyone. And with Krasinski being so personable, who is going to say no if you ask for a day’s work? The result is an extraordinary mix of acting talent as voices to the different IFs in the film. As you’re watching it you’re thinking “Is that (my best friend) Clooney? It certainly sounds like Clooney. (And indeed it was Clooney, as the spaceman!) And so it goes on for each of the characters. As well as George Clooney we have the vocal talents of Steve Carell; Phoebe Waller-Bridge; Louis Gossett Jr.; Emily Blunt; Matt Damon; Maya Rudolph; Jon Stewart; Sam Rockwell; Richard Jenkins; Awkwafina; Bradley Cooper; Blake Lively and Amy Schumer! Great fun.
A kid-friendly Deadpool feels a bit out of place
I’m a big fan of Ryan Reynolds. Noone does promotional videos better. And I’m greatly looking forward to “Deadpool & Wolverine” coming out later this summer – (“I AM Marvel Jesus” – LOL!) However, though I hate to say it, I felt Reynolds was a bit mis-cast here as Bea’s world-weary sidekick Cal. Perhaps it’s because I’m so used to him F-ing and blinding through a film like “Deadpool” and it just doesn’t feel right? But, to me, Reynolds just felt a bit awkward in the role.
Giacchino delivers the goods again
I can’t not mention the spendid score by the great Michael Giacchino which really delivers for the movie. As well as a catchy little whistling “IF” motif, there is also a action cue for the spy-chief character Cosmo (voiced by Christopher Meloni) which was very reminiscent of Giacchino’s “The Incredibles” score. A score that’s for sure going on my Spotify playlist.
Monkey?
There is no ‘monkey‘ per se. However, there is a brief but truly lovely post-credit tribute to Louis Gossett Jr. who died in March of this year.
Triggers
It’s a “U” certificate family film, so there’s not much to mention here. However, that being said there is a theme of parental bereavement going on that might worry and disturb particularly sensitive younger children.
Summary Thoughts on “IF”
“IF” is something to celebrate. A U-certificate film that the whole family can go and see together. And there are precious few of those around in the cinema these days.
As for me, I expected to enjoy “IF” and I did. It has some truly lovely moments that made me laugh, made me cry a bit and made me go “Ahhh”. But I can’t honestly say that I was blown away with it. I will need to give it another watch (the illustrious Mrs Movie Man wants to see it) when it gets it’s full release in a few days time and re-assess. But I’ll be more curious to find out what my grandkids make of it and whether it lives up to their (high) expectations.
Oh. And watch out for Keith!
Where to Watch it (Powered by Justwatch)
Trailer for “IF”:
The trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ss2KvK-w6w8 .
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