‘IF’ movie review

Category: Movies

First of all, what is an IF? Well, IF stands for Imaginary Friend. The theme of this film is that even though we all get older, we’re never too old to imagine.

Spoiler alert – the mom dies. What else do you expect from an animated film? It’s really not an important element in the story so many people wonder why it is necessary to have the mother die.

Now for the story of IF. Cailey Fleming stars as Bea, a twelve year old who has had to grow up faster than she should have. Her mother died and her father (John Krasinski, who also wrote and directed the film) is in the hospital for a heart surgery. So Bea is staying with her grandmother in the apartment her family had visited when she was younger. 

Bea discovers some weird things going on in the apartment above hers. While investigating, she meets Cal (Ryan Reynolds) who is a caretaker of IFs. And then there’s Blue (voiced by Steve Carell) who is really purple, cuddly, and somewhat depressed that his child has forgotten him. When children choose to forget about their imaginary friends, these fellows are thrown into oblivion, so to speak. In reality, they are living in a retirement home. 

Bea is tasked with helping the forgotten IFs. She starts by trying to find them new children, however that doesn’t work. So in the end she realizes that she has to revive the memories in the adults who had abandoned their IFs when they were children. “Nothing you love can ever be forgotten.”  As Bea discovers, “Memories live forever in our hearts.” 

“You’re never really alone,” she realizes, as long as you have your friend, imaginary that is. Whether it’s a big furry purple monster-like fellow, an adorable flower, or anything else. These guys helped kids through their ups and downs as children, and now they are reunited with the adults whose memories are rekindled, thanks to the efforts of Bea.

The movie is somewhat convoluted and sometimes difficult to follow and understand, even for adults. 

IF is rated PG for thematic elements and mild language. Little kids won’t understand the concept but will most likely enjoy the strange collection of IFs. The movie is now playing in theaters.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.