IR Film Review: IF [Paramount]
The idea of imagined friends has been the texture of some fantasy films. It can be used as a metaphor of self or an element of dealing with trauma or crisis. Writer/Director John Krasinski after making "A Quiet Place" and "A Quiet Place, Part II" wanted to likely make something different but that is an interesting build in jumping from one genre to another. He very much succeeds in certain ways with “IF” while he starts to tow the line on some others. The tone of the film at the beginning is odd between Ryan Reynolds and the young ladty who plays his downstairs neighbor. it doesn't quite make sense especially in a city like NY. She is left unsupervised and seemingly wanders the city endlessly while her father is in the hospital. Her grandmother watches after her but she seemd adrift.
Krasinski himself playing her father in the movie is a bit of a catalyst for her actions but it is interesting that it is Reynolds' character Cal who is disenchanted. Reynolds plays it sweet and annoyed so the McGuffin of the movie does actually work because of the way the story is directed. The voice cast of all the imaginary friends is amazing. Cailey Fleming captures the wonder of the girl but it almost feels like Sarah Polley as Sally in "Baron Munchausen"...she is just on the cusp of being too aware...which keeps the film at times from being grounded or transformative...because she almost seems aware that she is in a movie. At other times, it really does need to be a flight of fancy and that is also its strength in many ways. The voice cast (as indicated) is stellar as it should be but it is Steve Carell as Blue who really stands out in a way. One would almost hope for a little more backstory (or flashbacks) though the one we see with Artie Lange and their connection is one of the best moments in the film. This scene is when Krasinski as a director hits his stride.
That is the thing about the movie, It pushes too saccarine at times. It teeters on the edge of a darker drama. But it never quite falls off the edge despite an uneven tone in the beginning. Another phenomenal scene and performance is with the late Lou Gossett Jr as the wise bear Lewis. He is almost like the Yoda of this world and his monologues and perceptions are bittersweet (andnot just because Gossett passed before the film came out). Lewis understands the plight of the IFs as does Cal. Of course, like Bob Hoskins in "Roger Rabbit", Reynolds can innately do this work and there is a sense of wonder. But "Roger Rabbit" had something very different in its effectiveness. Maybe legacy is the wrong word but it did have time already built in. Krasinski made the movie for his kids which is awesome because it does have that sense of wisfulness and hope, even in the space of tragedy. It skirts that way more like "The Fisher King" but without the darkness. The reality is that "IF" is balanced between two worlds, The underground home of the IFs is a phenomonal space, the narrative makes sense and the reveal is good. IF is an interesting film, brilliant in certain ways, unsure in some others..But all in all, it is both sweet and yet a product of its maker.A-
By Tim Wassberg
