-Written by Kyle Bain.
While dealing with hardship Bea (Cailey Fleming) begins being able to see everyone’s imaginary friends. These imaginary friends (or IF) have lost their real-life friends, and they are looking to be united with new children who can see them and benefit from them. With the help of Cal (Ryan Reynolds), Bea will spend her days as a matchmaker–looking to brighten the lives of IFs and people alike.
The most incredible thing about IF is Writer-Director John Krasinski’s imagination, as he creates something original and unique in a world full of reboots and sequels. Not only does he create something new, but it’s brilliantly cohesive, carrying itself well throughout–making sense to both children and adults. From beginning to end I was amazed by what Krasinski was able to create, what he was able to flesh out into a complete and honest thought. This is my favorite aspect of the film–the thing that continued to amaze me from beginning to end.
Fleming is another bright spot in this film. Talented beyond her years, she evokes emotion throughout the entirety of the film, pulling viewers in and keeping hold of them throughout. IF depends on her and her ability to create emotion and drive the story. She’s a powerful force that holds her own among the likes of Reynolds, Krasinski, and Fiona Shaw (Grandmother), and in some scenes she even outshines them. Based on this performance and this one alone it’s easy to assume that she has a bright future ahead–and IF thrives in many instances as a result of what she brings to the table.
Krasinski also develops an effective juxtaposition between the tone of the film and the bright, vibrant colors used to bring the imaginary friends to life. Tonally there is something dark present in the film. Themes of angst, depression, and the like loom heavily over the film–but they are met by characters like Blue (Steve Carell), a giant, purple fuzzball, that help to develop balance in this regard. In a film far different from what he’s helmed in the past, Krasinski does a wonderful job of achieving balance by using these incredible, animated characters to breathe vibrant life into the film.
What Krasinski struggles with throughout the majority of IF is the pacing. There is far too much empty space throughout the course of the film, and that comes as a result of both the narrative itself and the dialogue. There are blips of silliness that exist throughout the film in order to appeal to a younger, more innocent audience. I can understand the purpose of this; it makes sense why Krasinski approached the film the way he did–but there are times when it doesn’t work for younger viewers (and I believe most of the time it fails to work for more mature viewers). With far too many down moments, there were times during IF when I felt bored or tired–even instances when I felt myself ready to doze off. It’s never a good thing to want to fall asleep while watching a film, particularly when you’re seeing it in theaters. Yet–multiple times this feeling started to overcome me.
The final act of the film, however, is drastically different than the first two–finishing impeccably strong, leaving viewers with feelings of wonderment and youthful exuberance. In the closing twenty minutes of the film these feelings (along with a plethora of emotions) wash over viewers. IF peaks at this time–when it’s most necessary–and Krasinski wraps things up beautifully. I left the theater feeling better than when I had entered, being given an opportunity to relive the more innocent moments in my life.
That’s really what IF is all about. This film is meant to bring us back to our roots; not culturally or religiously, but back to our individual roots, back to the things that make us who we are, make us tick. IF captures this essence of innocence and nostalgia–and while there are moments in which it doesn’t come through as planned, the ending ties everything together beautifully for the whole world to appreciate.
Written & Directed by John Krasinski.
Starring Cailey Fleming, Ryan Reynolds, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Fiona Shaw, Steve Carell, Louis Gossett Jr., Alan Kim, Liza Colόn-Zayas, Bobby Moynihan, Catharine Daddario, Audrey Hoffman, Awkwafina, Emily Blunt, George Clooney, Bradley Cooper, Matt Damon, Bill Hader, Richard Jenkins, Keegan-Michael Key, Blake Lively, Sebastian Maniscalco, Christopher Meloni, Matthew Rhys, Sam Rockwell, Maya Rudolph, Amy Schumer, Allyson Seeger, Jon Stewart, Brad Pitt, etc.
7.5/10 = WORTH RENTING OR BUYING
