‘IF’ Review: Childhood Wonder Succumbs To Deep Melodrama In John Krasinski’s Latest Film

The human imagination is a boundless frontier where grand exploration can occur, and in children, this exploration is particularly vibrant. It is this fearless imagination that allows children to envision themselves as anyone or anything. This manifestation is at the heart of John Krasinski’s film IF, which delves into the wonders of childhood and the enduring power of imagination. Despite boasting a formidable cast including Krasinski, Ryan Reynolds, Cailey Fleming, Fiona Shaw, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Steve Carell and the late Louis Gossett Jr., the film fails to fully capitalize on its potential. While charming in parts, it ultimately succumbs to a melodramatic and somewhat tedious narrative.

IF follows the story of Bea (Fleming) a 12-year-old girl who spends time with her grandmother (Shaw) while her single father (Krasinski) prepares for a heart surgery. Bea, who tragically lost her mother to illness, insists that she is no longer a child, despite her father’s attempts to connect with her through imagination. Bea rummages through her grandmother’s apartment, seeking memories of her childhood to reminisce about the past with her mother.

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Her life takes an unexpected turn when she encounters Blossom (Waller-Bridge), a furry purple creature named Blue (Carell), and Calvin (Reynolds), who leads her on an adventure that reveals a hidden world of imaginary friends at Coney Island. The group connects with Lewis (Gossett), a brown, vintage teddy bear who at 98 is the reigning oldest imaginary friend. With Lewis’ help, Bea, Cal and Blue have to find a way to connect all of the imaginary friends with new children before they disappear from existence.

The film’s casts deliver strong performances, with Fleming standing out as Bea, portraying a blend of youthful innocence and maturity to deal with the often serious themes of the film. Reynolds has a distinct performance style, but his talents as a physical actor often go underappreciated. He isn’t afraid to look silly or contort his body to serve a story, making him one of Hollywood’s best in the realm of physical acting.

Krasinski demonstrates his prowess as a visual storyteller, skillfully translating his vivid imagination into a visually stunning film. The world he creates is rich with detail, and the imaginary friends are brought to life with distinct personalities and appearances, while building connection with his actors. Seeing his vision in full view is aided by the technical work; CGI work is impeccable and seamlessly blends the real and imaginary worlds. The texture and detail of the imaginary friends, particularly the fur of Blue and Lewis, are rendered with such realism that they practically invite tactile engagement. Krasinski’s meticulous attention to the visual aspects of the film is evident, as he often creates enchanting and immersive environments in this films.

However, while Krasinski excels in visual creativity, his script lacks the engaging depth needed to sustain interest. The film’s narrative, although imaginative, doesn’t captivate fully, rendering it a somewhat dull experience despite its fantastical elements as it stumbles over its own narrative weight. IF‘s melodramatic tone often feels overwrought, detracting from its whimsical core. Moreover, certain plot elements strain credibility, such as Bea’s solo escapades across New York City, or her bursting into the men’s bathroom in a highly guarded building in the middle of Rockefeller Center, all of which feels more implausible than adventurous. These logistical missteps disrupt the suspension of disbelief crucial for a children’s fantasy film.

IF serves as a testament to the power of imagination, but it also highlights the necessity of a strong narrative to support even the most creative ideas. Despite its charms, the film’s saccharine sweetness and slow pace render it a less engaging experience than it aspires to be. It’s wasn’t enough to keep my attention, let alone that of a child, for 104 minutes.

Title: IF
Distributor: Paramount
Release date: May 17, 2024
Director-screenwriter: John Krasinski
Cast: John Krasinski, Ryan Reynolds, Cailey Fleming, Fiona Shaw, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Steve Carell, Louis Gossett Jr.
Rating: PG
Running time: 1 hr 44 min

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