'If' Review: Krasinski's Winning Streak Continues With A Heartfelt Charmer
WRiter/director john krasinski proves the quiet place films weren’t a fluke with yet another winner in if, a deeply heartfelt, highly entertaining family film that is sure to win over both younger and older audiences.
The concept of imaginary friends isn’t necessarily a novel one, utilized in various films and television shows to varying degrees of success, but IF certainly stands on its own two feet, distancing itself from the crowded pack. The story follows a young girl named Bea (Cailey Fleming), who after experiencing hardship starts seeing imaginary friends all around her that have been left behind by their kids who all grew up and put them in the rearview mirror. Krasinski has assembled a truly impressive cast here, including the likes of Ryan Reynolds, Steve Carell, Fiona Shaw, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Matt Damon, George Clooney, Sam Rockwell, Awkwafina, and many, many more. Fortunately, this embarrassment of riches isn’t wasted in the slightest.
In a recent interview, Krasinski revealed that the genesis for the idea of the film stemmed from seeing the joy and light dim in his children during the pandemic, springing him into action to craft a film that would bring joy back into their lives, a love letter to them essentially. In every frame of the film, there is a wonderful sense of joy and heart that the audience can absolutely feel, within every interaction with an IF and everything in between. Not only are the IFs undeniably charming and magnetic, but so is the main cast here. Fleming proves she’s a talent to watch, carrying the film on her shoulders with effortless confidence, equal parts endearing and warm. Reynolds is also unsurprisingly strong, showcasing his innate skill at being both hilarious and tender. Their scenes together are a standout, the two having terrific chemistry with one another, selling the predictable transition from prickly to loving without a hitch.
The IFs themselves are wonderfully realized, the VFX and CGI selling them effectively with terrific nuance and spacial interactions. Audiences won’t doubt them for a second and the care and meticulous detail that clearly went into designing each of them will not go unnoticed. Krasinski never lets the wide array of IFs overwhelm him or the film itself, allowing the audience to get to know the majority of them well without feeling overrun. They are no doubt the most entertaining facet of the film, delivering laughs aplenty and warmth in droves.
While the film is very funny, the heart is what knocks this one out of the park. There is a wondferful message sprinkled throughout the film about how one will never forget the things and people they love most, no matter how old they may get or how much hardship they may go through. The way in which the film demonstrates this through our main and supporting characters is heartwarming and a potent reminder for audiences watching the film not to let go of their childlike sense of joy, to keep it near and dear no matter what life may bring. To some, that sentiment may come across as cheesy, but to others it will resonate deeply, dusting off the cobwebs of their childhoods to rediscover the happiness within.
However, the film isn’t without its flaws, which mostly lie in the screenwriting department. While the script is mostly sharp and touching, there are “surprises” that audiences will be able to see coming from miles and miles away, especially a big third act twist that isn’t nearly as jaw-dropping as the film wants it to be. In addition, the film can be extremely predictable at times, taking a safer route instead of taking the road less traveled, which would’ve been far more compelling.
Krasinski continues to prove his talent and versatility as a writer/director with IF, a genuinely heartwarming and hilarious family film that not only is able to entertain tremendously, but probe deeper into the joys of being a child and the drawbacks to letting that sense of joy and wonder fade away with time. It may not be flawless, but its winning blend of humor and heart is anything but imaginary.