^{By: Amanda Guarragi}

When we become adults, we never fully realize the transformation into adulthood. We don’t remember the last time we picked up a toy or played outside. It’s dramatic to say the “last time,” so let me add the “last time with childlike wonderment.” It’s sad to say this because it is hard to remember. Sometimes there is a trauma in your life that blocks out pieces of your childhood you can never get back, no matter how much you search your memory. When you experience a great loss, your perception of the world becomes jaded. One can find safety in their imagination, but once the weight of that trauma breaks through, even those thoughts are shattered. In John Krasinski’s IF, he explores grief and the loss of childhood dreams. The combination of using imaginary friends as a crutch for children and adults alike was effective. At first, it may feel like a children’s story, but it soon turns into an emotional narrative for adults to have faith in those dreams they once had. 

We meet young Bea (Cailey Fleming) who is very animated and loves performing. She was bursting with creativity because her parents allowed her to use her imagination for everything. Whether she was singing to Tina Turner or painting a lovely picture of her family, the creative juices were always flowing. Her mother wanted Bea to tell her stories because her imagination would shine through. Bea soon realized that these creative stories were a distraction from her mother’s illness. She was too young to understand at the time, but once she lost her mother, she understood. A piece of Bea broke that day, her creative side became closed off because it was something special she had shared with her mother. The grief changed her perspective on life and why it’s not safe to hold onto fake scenarios when her reality is so bleak already. It takes some time for the film to find its footing and for Fleming to warm up to her character. The script isn’t the strongest with dialogue, but the story is meaningful. It’s hard not to appreciate what Krasinski wanted to do with this film because it can connect to so many people. 

Once Bea finds out that her father has to have heart surgery at the same hospital and the same room her mother died in, she reaches another low. Without realizing it, she turns to the safety of her mind, and her imaginary friends return. The animation for each of the imaginary friends is gorgeous. They are all unique and have different forms of animation working for each character. Bea is assigned to help them find a new child to help out and Cal (Ryan Reynolds) doesn’t think it can be done. Fleming and Reynolds have a great synergy to carry the film. However, the voice cast will charm everyone. It was nice to hear Steve Carrell’s voice as Blue because of how sweet and funny his character was. Even Phoebe Waller-Bridge had such a softness to her character of Blossom. The comedic moments were perfect because of their line delivery and character designs. Krasinski brought a duality for the whole family to watch because it shifts in the middle to the imaginary friends finding their previous owners. The story is straightforward and a bit on the nose, but it is a feel-good movie. 

IF will surprise many audiences because it is not what anyone will expect. It does need a minute to find its footing. However, the imaginary characters and goofy jokes make it enjoyable for a family-friendly viewing. More importantly, this film teaches children how to navigate loss and helps adults reminisce about childhood dreams. Krasinski wanted to make something sentimental and he succeeded. Many moments handle loss with tenderness and care. Krasinski reminds everyone that it’s important to find the beauty in everything. To laugh, and tell stories, and to dance every single day. Life is a rollercoaster, and we all need to have those small moments to ourselves to keep going. It’s heartwarming and the characters are so endearing. The way the story unfolds makes for an emotional ending. You won’t even realize that a single tear will stream down your cheek because of how he pieced it together. It’s rare to find feel-good films nowadays and Krasinski made one with all his friends.