Bea is a young girl who is going through some difficult life experiences and suddenly she can see IF’s aka imaginary friends who have all been left behind as the children who created them grew up and forgot.
Obviously the opening scene is rather traumatic with Bea’s mother dying of cancer, and that was certainly not how I expected this film to start at all. Then moving forward a few years and having her father in hospital, it actually takes a while to find out what is wrong with him. She then must spend time with her Grandmother, who is doing her very best to make her comfortable. But all of that bringing memories of her mother back. Like seriously wasn’t this supposed to be a kids film?
Anyway the trauma of expecting more loss is about to make Bea believe again and give her the ability to see the IF’s who are lead by Cal in an apartment in the same building as where her Grandmother lives. This is when the film for me just becomes way too creepy, like why is this grown man hanging around with a child? I mean yes, we do get a twist but I was so far gone before that point.
The thing is with this film, it just didn’t seem to be able to decide if it was going for the heartbreak to heartwarming style. For me it massively failed and that was such a disappointment given the talented cast that John Krasinski assembled. I mean maybe I cannot really relate to it as don’t think I ever had an imaginary friend, would that possibly have made this hit differently?
SPOILER ALERT! My kids and another that went with us loved this movie and I enjoyed it, and I never had an imaginary friend. But I took it for what it was even though I do agree I kind of thought it was weird she just takes off with this guy around the city on a whim. My daughters have sense and know entertainment from reality but some others might not be the same maturity level which is concerning. I know they were saving the big reveal but I think it would have been better up front and given it some context of why they were running around together. I thoroughly enjoyed the headquarters makeover scene, what an awesome jam that was.
I fully appreciate why you all liked and enjoyed the film, it certainly just wasn’t for me.
Loved If. Shockingly good and inspirational. Good story and great actors. Bea was amazing.