Review: IF

I didn’t have an imaginary friend growing up, or maybe I did and just forgot. If that’s the case, John Krasinski’s IF suggests that my reality is a devastatingly sad outcome.

12-year-old Bea’s (Cailey Fleming) father ( John Krasinski) is in the hospital undergoing life-saving surgery. During her difficult experience, she stumbles upon a man (Ryan Reynolds) with peculiar friends. She discovers these odd creatures living within her apartment building are actually Imaginary friends, or IFs as they refer to themselves. Bea learns these imaginary friends have been forgotten by their kids and embarks on a magical adventure to reconnect the deserted fantastical confidants with their prospective children.

There is a whole cast of comedic heavy hitters, including Ryan Reynolds, Steve Carell, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Awkwafina, and many more. So, I went into this kid’s movie, expecting it to be cute and funny. I didn’t expect to be in tears throughout most of it. And these were not tears of laughter. IF is a surprisingly heavy movie with a deeper meaning that kids may not fully understand. If anything, this is a film for adults to reconnect with their childhood and work through their traumas.

Cailey Fleming did wonderfully as the film’s lead. It is no small feat to be that young and do an incredible job of evoking the emotion needed to pull off such a role. She truly carried the film as a whole with only some assistance from Reynolds. IF’s problem lies within its pacing. When the film begins, you know there will be some type of emotional element that will play at your heartstrings. But as the story is being set up, the plot line starts to feel messy and confusing. It takes until the film’s second act to kind of understand what’s happening, but you never fully grasp the story until the final act. Because of this, some of the emotion is lost… but not all of it. IF somehow finds a way to your heart. Mostly because of its lovable characters, but also because of the performances given. Sprinkle that in with some stunning cinematography (especially the scene where Bea’s grandmother is dancing), and you have a recipe for tears.

While the film may be emotionally taxing, there are some funny bits. In this, Ryan Reynolds uses his typical humor, but it’s a little more subtle than usual. His quick remarks and quips help move the story along, and he is truly enchanting to watch alongside Fleming. Steve Carell voices a loveable, jolly purple monster who will surely be every kid’s favorite character. Through his optimistic voice-over, Carell becomes a standout in the movie. Along the way, we’re introduced to a plethora of imaginary friends who I thought would have more screen time. It’s unfortunate that we weren’t given more, but I’m happy about the bits and pieces we did have.

IF is an emotional roller coaster from start to finish. If you’re expecting to take your child to a cute and funny movie, be prepared to deal with a few sad tears along the way. There is a deeper meaning hidden in the script, mostly about how we are all looking for a voice in our heads that will tell us everything will be okay. Unfortunately, this movie may be too slow of pace for small children. Older ones may be able to grasp the concept and accept the emotional journey that lies ahead. As for the parents, well… I know I may need to book an appointment with my therapist.