IF Review: Bringing Smiles Through Strange New Friends

Have you ever had an invisible friend as a child? John Krasinski’s latest family film, IF, explores the idea that nearly every youngster creates an imaginary companion at some point. Cailey Fleming stars as Bea, a 12-year-old New Yorker still grieving the loss of her mother.

After her father falls ill, Bea comes to live with her grandmother. That’s when she meets the eccentric Cal, played by Ryan Reynolds, who reveals that they both possess a special ability—they can see and interact with imaginary friends that children have abandoned over the years.

These “IFs,” as they’re called, desperately want to find new children to bond with. So Bea joins Cal and his colorful crew of IFs—including a giant purple bear voiced by Steve Carell—on a mission to reunite forgotten fantasies with stressed adults still in need of their childhood spirit. But delving into this imaginative world is not entirely an escape from Bea’s sadness, as Krasinski touches on deeper themes of coping with loss through creativity and empathy.

IF takes you on a magical journey of imagination.

Young Bea is coming to terms with loss while moving in with her grandmother in Brooklyn. Her father is hospitalized, and the emotional toll has been high. But an unexpected gift is about to help Bea through this difficult time: the discovery that she can see and interact with imaginary friends.

These so-called “IFs” are magical creatures that were created in the minds of children but forgotten as they grew up. Bea connects with her neighbor Cal, who helps an organization reunite IFs with their former children. She meets a colorful cast of characters, including Blue Bear and Butterfly Blossom.

Bea’s strong imagination means she can truly see and appreciate these beings. She learns their retirement home is on Coney Island, where IFs wait hopefully for a child to play with once more. Many feel forgotten and alone. Bea sees their plight and is determined to help reunite IFs using her new abilities.

Her journey takes her around New York as Bea connects IFs to adults who once imagined them as kids. Through it all, the magical IFs keep Bea company and bring moments of levity and joy. Her father also does his best to keep spirits high in his hospital bed.

As Bea persists in her mission, she grows closer to her new friends. She even transforms the retirement home into a lively wonderland through the power of her vivid dreams. By the end, Bea has helped many IFs and also finds comfort in knowing they are never truly alone, as memories can never be forgotten by those who cherish them.

Imaginative Worlds on Screen

Janusz Kaminski’s vibrant cinematography brings the story’s imaginative settings vividly to life. From homemade recordings of a happy family to the fantastical carnival housing imaginary friends, each scene is carved lovingly and creatively from light and shadow. Kaminski gifts audiences detailed glimpses of this charming Brooklyn neighborhood while sweeping us effortlessly into fantastical dreamscapes. He elevates both the grounded human drama and the wider worlds of children’s imaginations.

Production designer Keith P. Cunningham too invites immersion through meticulous period authenticity. Bea’s grandmother’s cozy home feels steeped in warmth and history, from antique gramophones to a flower-filled balcony. Contrasting this haven, the abandoned amusement park underneath the iconic Coney Island boardwalk appears gracefully decayed yet bursting with potential for rebirth through imagination. Cunningham breathes lifelike wonder into the environments that characters bring to new magical heights.

Complementing these visual feats, composer Michael Giacchino stirs feeling with a classically inspired yet fresh score. Soaring melodies swell the heart during moments of joy, adventure, and discovery. Elsewhere, tender piano solos gentle us through private sorrow. Giacchino lends the film’s moving spiritual core musical expression to match its visual splendor. His composition truly is the sugar, which makes this treat’s richest flavors linger the longest.

Together, these stunning craftspeople construct worlds inviting endless revisiting, whether on screen or in dreams. They grant audiences passage into their private imagination’s most nourishing realms, where childhood’s lessons of hope, compassion, and resilience continue to teach and inspire all who seek refreshment of spirit.

Beyond Imaginary Friends

This coming-of-age story explores how imagination and make-believe can help us process life’s difficulties. After losing her mother, young Bea struggles with feelings of sadness and responsibility beyond her years. She wants to leave childhood behind yet still needs an outlet for joy and play.

Bea discovers she can see imaginary friends, magical creatures representing the rich inner worlds of children. But many IFs are lonely, abandoned by their creators who’ve outgrown such fantasies. Bea feels kindred with their isolation. She sees potential where others see only futile fantasy.

Teaming up with misfit neighbor Cal, their mission is to reunite IFs with their original children, now adults. These pairings symbolize reconnecting with the carefree parts of ourselves forced into hiding. The IFs also offer present-day children unconditional love, easing life’s pains. As Bea helps others, her own heart begins healing too.

A standout scene depicts the IFs’ rundown “retirement home,” really a poignant reminder that growing up means loss as well as gain. Faced with memories of their families, the IFs experience emotions that are all too human. Underneath their magical exteriors beats a profound need for companionship we all share.

By the film’s end, Bea learns that reality does not preclude wonder. Her imagination opens doors to meaning even in darkness. Life may bring sorrow but also fleeting joys if we open our eyes to them. While maturity demands responsibility, it doesn’t require abandoning our curiosity or sense of fun. The real magic was in Bea and all people, all along.

Imaginary Friends Come to Life

The heart of IF lies in its characters. Cailey Fleming shines as Bea, capturing a young girl’s complex emotions after losing her mother. Her bonding with Cal and the IFs provides distraction and purpose during a difficult time. Yet Bea remains believable, both playful and serious, in the way kids truly are.

Cal seems like an unlikely protagonist at first. As the jaded manager of disused imaginary friends, Reynolds holds back uncharacteristic humor. His care for the IFs, especially lonely Lewis, hints at Cal’s past. Their reunion ultimately proves most moving.

Speaking of, the imaginary friends come alive through their talented voice stars. Steve Carell lends Blue equal parts dimness and enthusiasm, making him an adorable teddy. Waller-Bridge infuses Blossom with charming innocence and energy. Gossett Jr. brings gravitas and longing to the wise Lewis, desperate to feel needed again. These fantasy creations feel authentically born from children’s minds, each with their own quirks and backstories.

Standouts include Bradley Cooper as a humble ice friend and Jon Stewart’s enthusiastic superhero dog. Amy Schumer makes even a talking gummy bear relatable. Their comedic interactions lift darker themes, such as retirement home isolation. Imaginary friends’ neediness tugs at heartstrings, yet their fun rekindles youthful spirit.

Krasinski’s passionate direction draws honest, nuanced work from young Fleming, especially. His heartfelt, offbeat style transforms complex family issues into fun adventures. Despite the starry cast, characters remain at heart, fostering empathy for their plights. Their development mirrors Bea’s, helping her cope and heal through play. In IF, imagination truly sets you free.

The Heart of Humor

IF aims to blend laughs with heartfelt moments, though finding balance proves tricky at times. The film introduces us to a colorful cast of imaginary creatures that provide much of its comic relief. From Blue’s hapless antics to the ice cube detective with grand visions of himself, these characters elicit smiles. Yet humor alone isn’t enough to sustain the story’s runtime. Krasinski wants to explore deeper themes of grief, memory, and the importance of imagination.

Some of the most poignant scenes depict Bea grieving her late mother or reuniting the imaginary friends with their former children. During these more emotional passages, laughter becomes less frequent. While meaningfully touching, shifting abruptly between comedy and drama risks tonal inconsistency. A few gags feel out of place when somber issues dominate the foreground. Striking the perfect equilibrium remains a challenge many family films face.

When IF focuses more on relationships between Bea and her father or the imaginary friends, the movie shines brightest. Their bond provides solace in dealing with the difficult realities of illness and loss. One dance sweetly captures this spirit, as does a tear-jerking twist late in the film. Underplayed humor also works well in lighter moments between characters. But brevity serves the film’s heart better than overdone jokes, which paradingly risk becoming distracting.

Overall, IF demonstrates how even well-meaning stories must carefully balance their lighter and deeper elements. With refinement, Krasinski can maximize both entertainment and emotional resonance for viewers of all ages in future works. But this film still offers its fair share of humor, heart, and imagination along the way.

Imagination on Display

In the end, IF fulfills its purpose as an enjoyable film for most of the family to share. Krasinski sets out to showcase the power of childhood imagination and, to some extent, succeeds. The creative imaginary friends put smiles on faces and provide much of the entertainment value. Their wacky personalities and over-the-top antics make for good, lighter moments between more poignant scenes.

Fleming stands out; she brings total commitment to her role, which really drives the whole story. Her strong performance as Bea gives emotional resonance when things get real. And there are indeed some deeply moving parts that show imagination helping people cope with life’s difficulties. The third-act twist proved quite touching too.

While not flawless, IF remains a tale where the merits outweigh the small weaknesses. It could have dug deeper into its themes or found perfect tonal balance. But Krasinski creates an enjoyable fantasy world, and the messages around memory, grief, and friendship ring clear. Overall, it serves as a pleasant way to spend a family movie night where imaginations of all ages can run freely for a couple hours. I would say most will find smiles and warmth watching it, making IF well worth experiencing.