A surprising thing is happening. Though “Garfield” is currently number one at the box office, “IF” continues to bring in audiences. John Krasinski wrote, directed and produced this personal film based on his daughter’s imaginary play worlds. While the big-budget action film, “Furiosa: A Mad Max Sage” has flamed out at the box office, “IF” ticket sales remain steady.
Perhaps families are seeking light entertainment and a film that’s not a sequel, and grownups are rejecting gruesome violent films with all the wars going on? Horror films are still draw big crowds, but I think more people are looking for some character development to go with the big-budget green screen work. Krasinski’s film is light on story, but it does have a charming central character. Newcomer Cailey Fleming (“Walking Dead”, “Loki”) is a talented young lady.
The film starts with an over-long montage of a happy family (Krasinski plays the father) and it’s clear from the start that someone is going to die. Sure enough, Mom (Catherine Daddario) is soon sporting head scarves and is shown in her hospital room. Young Bea not only loses her mother, but her father is now checking into the same hospital for heart surgery. It’s a lot of trauma for the young lady.
Fleming has an innocence and a face that registers a wide range of emotions. She emotes sadness, stoicism and inner conflict as she moves in with her grandmother. Fiona Shaw is given very little to do as the guardian who seems at a loss to help her granddaughter. Their interactions are quite stilted. It makes little sense that Bea would get to wander off for hours with little notice from grandma. Fortunately, she has one stand-out performance that literally lights up the film.
The movie is full of brightly colored Imaginary Friends and half the fun is determining who’s voicing the creatures. Ryan Reynolds plays the sarcastic upstairs neighbor who seems to be helping the IFs. It’s not much of a stretch for Reynolds but it’s odd to see him act maudlin for most of the film. And a relief when he’s finally allowed a few moments of humor. The film could’ve used more humor.
It’s difficult to imagine young kids enjoying the film. Beyond the weird creatures that they might find funny, the story is odd and has a lot of sadness. There is a charming performance by a young hospital patient (Alan Kim, “Minari”) and some of the IF interactions are creative. There’s a wonderful theme in the film as Bea realizes she doesn’t have to leave her childhood behind while trying to be recover from her grief. And that we all could use an imaginary friend sometimes, even as adults, to remind us to embrace our inner child.
Audiences are hungry for original stories, and “IF” has that going for it. It’s not a sequel or a reimagining of a children’s comic. Yet if it weren’t for Fleming’s charming presence and Krasinski’s ability to gather a lot of star power to his film, this movie might not have succeeded.
So far, this summer has had no big audience draw; no “Barbie”, no “Oppenheimer”. Will any of the new releases live up to expectations? Now there’s a new “Bad Boys” film and yet another “Despicable Me”. There have been so many disappointments this year. It would be nice if there was a film that warranted a rave review to drive audiences to the multiplex. So far, “Hit Man” has been the “hit” of the summer and it didn’t receive wide theatrical release.
Drinks with Films rating: 2 Coney Island milkshakes, sweet enough to make your teeth hurt (out of 5)
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