John Krasinski’s live-action animated film IF is a family-friendly movie that attempts to blend fantasy with emotional depth but falls short of delivering a compelling message. The film boasts an impressive ensemble cast, featuring Krasinski himself and voice cameos from Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, George Clooney, Sam Rockwell, and Bradley CooperT.
IF tells the story of twelve-year-old Bea (Cailey Fleming), who is staying with her grandmother (Fiona Shaw) in New York while her father (Krasinski) prepares for heart surgery. Although the specifics of her dad’s procedure remain unclear, Bea’s fear of losing another parent is understandable as she is still grieving her mother’s death.
While staying at her grandmother’s, she encounters a world of imaginary friends, or IFs, led by her upstairs neighbor Cal (Reynolds). Reminiscent of the characters from Monsters, Inc., the IFs anchor the movie’s appeal. Steve Carrell’s character, Blue, a large furry purple creature, is especially endearing.
The story takes Bea and her newfound pals to the whimsical Memory Lake Retirement Home, housed inside a Coney Island merry-go-round. This imaginative locale — where Bea lets her imagination run wild, culminating in a performance with Tina Turner and Cal before roaring fans — stands out as one of the film’s highlights, showcasing Krasinski’s knack for delighting audiences.
While the premise of a tween rediscovering imaginary friends as a coping mechanism holds promise, the movie fails to fully explore its emotional and thematic potential. IF compensates for its storytelling levity with a dose of saccharine, akin to a triple-layer chocolate cake smothered in frosting. Michael Giacchino’s score, though beautiful, too often dictates the movie’s emotional tone rather than letting the screenplay do the heavy lifting. Similarly, the film’s climax feels manipulative and contrived, creating a false sense of urgency and emotional weight that isn’t supported by the actual events. Krasinski could have taken a cue from Petite Maman, a simple story about the bond between a parent and child in the aftermath of loss that allows the narrative to speak for itself.
Despite its shortcomings, the movie’s performances are commendable. Fleming conveys resilience, wonder, and vulnerability. Reynolds infuses Cal with his signature sardonic humor, adding a distinctive and engaging flair. Krasinski, evoking Robin Williams’s playfulness in Mrs. Doubtfire, is charming as Bea’s father, though his character could have been further developed. The late Louis Gossett Jr. lends a touching presence as Lewis, an elder teddy bear, in his final role.
Like a dish made of high-quality ingredients by a skilled chef in need of a more refined recipe, IF would have been enhanced by a clearer vision of what it wanted to accomplish. Its narrative shortcomings are not for lack of talent. As evidenced by A Quiet Place, Krasinski knows how to make films that are both substantive and entertaining. Yet to the degree that IF aims to deliver a message beyond “imaginary friends can help children cope with trauma,” the movie falls short.
Miracle on 34th Street (1947) also explored how tapping into our inner child can lead to happiness. Where that film excelled, and IF tries but misses the mark, is in outward focus, steering audiences toward healing and stronger human relationships. In this sense, IF’s most glaring missed opportunity is the bond between Bea and her grandmother — the two barely spend any time together. Developing deeper ties between them would have provided both the film and Bea with a stronger emotional core, better equipping her — and the children in the audience — to handle life’s challenges.
As anyone who has been blessed to enjoy his grandparents can attest, something as simple as watching Jimmy Stewart’s Harvey with them on an old couch provides a far richer source of lifelong joy, strength, and inspiration than reconnecting with a talking glass of ice water.
Bea clearly adores her family, but IF would have imparted a more valuable lesson to its young audience by delving deeper into the profound enrichment that loved ones bring to our lives — even if we need, as the Beatles would say, a little help from our friends.