Who doesn’t love an uplifting and heartwarming children’s movie about death and grief? John Krasinski’s IF is a surprisingly good family film that I enjoyed and my five-year-old loved. So much so that we are already watching it again.
IF begins with the main character’s mom dying of cancer and—cut several years later—her dad also in the hospital. Cheerful, right?
And yet Krasinski, who both wrote and directed this whimsical tale, proves something that most studios have forgotten: kid movies can deal with heavy themes in light ways. Defying the trend of flashy colors, fast cuts, and throwaway stories that embody most mainstream family fare these days, IF is a rewarding and entertaining piece of filmmaking. It may not be the most remarkable or explosive movie of the year, but it’s a good movie—and a refreshing change from the norm.
Krasinski’s talent as a director aside, IF has a lot going for it. Seventeen-year-old Cailey Fleming is a star in the making, and costar Ryan Reynolds is well cast. Many may overlook the visual effects, but they’re exceptional as well—and help bring Krasinski’s vision to life. And the score, by Michael Goacchino, is terrific; given the underlying themes at play here, Giacchino’s score plays an important role in setting the right the tone and mood.
When I first saw the trailers for IF, the movie looked massively unappealing to me. Pretty cheesy. Too serious for my five-year-old. I disliked the title. I even hated the font treatment. But Krasinski proved me wrong. With IF, he reminds us that kid’s movies don’t have to pander to toddlers. That they can be fun and intelligent at the same time. That they can defy the current formula and still be a success, both critically and financially. That death can be uplifting.
Review by Erik Samdahl unless otherwise indicated.