Review: IF – Imagined it would be better

Directed by John Krasinski 
Starring John Krasinski, Ryan Reynolds, Cailey Fleming, Steve Carrell, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon

7/10

Written, directed, and starring the adorable John Krasinski (The Office, Jack Ryan), IF explores what happens to our Imaginary Friends when we grow up. What happens when you no longer need your childhood buddy, but they still need you?

The story centres around 12-year-old Bea (Cailey Fleming, The Walking Dead) strongly proclaiming that she is no longer a kid. Yet when her joyful dad (Krasinski) is hospitalised, she finds herself bound up with a quirky cast of abandoned, invisible friends that only she can see. Krasinski’s character beautifully illustrates how imagination can be a source of strength and resilience in the face of adversity as he tells young Bea, “Sometimes life isn’t fun, but that doesn’t stop us from trying, though.”

Bea is assigned to find new children for these IFs, joining forces with a struggling Calvin (Ryan Reynolds). Reynolds is his typical charming, funny self, and while the role is not exactly a stretch of his skills, he does it well. This diverse cast of imaginary pals includes a toasted marshmallow, a magician mouse, a feisty unicorn, a bubble, and more, each forgotten by their child who grew up. The ensemble of voices reads like a who’s who of 2020s Hollywood favourites, including Awkafina, Steve Carrell, Emily Blunt, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Matt Damon, Jon Stewart and Maya Rudolph.

So we have a quest, a great cast of IFs, two beloved leading men, and a fascinating premise—if only the script could have pulled it all together. IF desperately needs a stronger focus and a tighter edit. It is rich with imaginary scenes that explore backstories and do nothing to move the plot.

There is a long dance sequence for Blossom the butterfly IF and a 1950s boardwalk stroll with old bear Lewis IF, both of which are joyful to watch but take up valuable storytime. The end result of all this imagination meandering is a slow pace, a lack of character development, a predictable ending, and a lost storyline. A family film should absorb your attention completely, not have kids shuffling in their seats and adults checking the clock.

At its core, IF is a celebration of imagination and the friends you can call on when times are tough. If only it could have realised its full potential.

MELISSA MANN