FILM
IF
★★★
OUT NOW / CERT U / 104 MINS
DIRECTOR John Krasinski
CAST Ryan Reynolds, John Krasinski, Cailey Fleming, Steve Carell
On paper, John Krasinski’s IF has all the right ingredients for a family adventure in the Amblin mould. It’s a charming story about reconnecting with our inner child, and in its concept of making IFs (short for “imaginary friend”) real, it brings to life an array of colourful characters. IF’s childlike vastness is influenced by every Disney/Pixar movie ever made, yet it’s a classic example of having too much of a good thing. For all its sweetness and star-studded cameos, the plot never positions itself to settle on one coherent idea. The result leaves far too many questions to be satisfying, too many jokes falling flat, to reach its full potential. Still, Krasinski provides enough sincerity to just about steady the ship.