The 2024 release If reveals itself as a magical trip down memory lane, prompting discussion about loss, imagination, and the importance of having fun. Written, directed, and produced by John Krasinski and featuring many familiar faces, the film explores topics that hit close to home, such as the journey of growing up.
Having imaginary friends– ‘Ifs,’ as they are named in the film, is so prevalent in early childhood that it is considered a natural, if not essential, part of growing up. But seeing these ‘friends’ in the flesh is another story.
“I think I’d freak out. Maybe seek medical help, in case it was a symptom of ill health,” said junior Emma Wang when asked what she would do if she started seeing other people’s imaginary friends out of the blue.
However, this is exactly what happens to 12-year-old Bea, played by Cailey Fleming, who stays with her grandmother while her father undergoes heart surgery at the same hospital where her mother died of cancer a few years prior. There, she meets two Ifs: Blue, a large, furry, purple monster; and Blossom, an anthropomorphic butterfly with slight cartoon elements. Both are said to have been abandoned by their former ‘kids,’ who have grown up and forgotten about ever having an imaginary friend. Bea is also (re)introduced to a man named Calvin, played by Ryan Reynolds, who serves as a voice of reason and support throughout the film. Throughout the film, Krasinski does an excellent job of developing the characters. The audience feels strong emotions for them, and many viewers can also relate to the unique personalities that each of the characters present.
Despite Bea’s relentless insistence that she ‘is not a kid,’ and is far too old for for the mundane task of having fun, she eventually decides to help the long term residents of Memory Lane Retirement Home– who, like Blue and Blossom, have been forgotten– find new ‘kids’ to spend their days with. This not only fosters Bea’s compassion, but also rouses her playful and imaginative side, which she uses to her advantage to solve problems and grow as a person.
A particularly compelling part of the movie is when Bea visits her father in the hospital, after hearing about a complication in his surgery because the audience is able to deeply feel the emotions that Krasinski portrays in the characters.
Additionally, the animation in the film is very creative, constructing Ifs that look cute and memorable. The detail used in the features of the Ifs to resemble their ‘kids’ is evident throughout all of the cast, not just the main characters.
By combining the elements of live-action and animation, the movie seems almost believable as something that would happen to a next-door neighbor, with a slight touch of magic under the surface. In fact, the clever cinematography makes a person wonder at certain moments: do the Ifs actually exist? The truth is likely in the storyline, and the lessons that the film passes on; they do if you believe in it.
Overall, If is a wonderful film that is sure to warm its audience’s hearts. Featuring heartfelt scenes and relatable lessons sprinkled along the way, it will undoubtedly prompt viewers to ponder, as the film encourages, ‘what if?’
