“IF” is a heartwarming blend of live-action and animation directed by John Krasinski. The film follows 12-year-old Bea, who, after her mother’s death and her father’s hospitalisation, discovers she can see imaginary friends (IFs) that have been forgotten by their creators. With the help of her neighbour Cal, who shares this ability, Bea embarks on a journey to reunite these IFs with their original companions, leading to personal growth and healing.
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Bea moves into her grandmother Margaret’s apartment in New York while her father awaits heart surgery in the same hospital where her mother passed away from cancer years earlier. Determined to act mature, Bea suppresses her emotions and distances herself from her imaginative past.
One evening, Bea encounters a mysterious creature and follows it back to her building. The next day, she sees it again with a man named Cal. Curious, Bea follows them to a house where Cal retrieves a large, furry, purple creature named Blue. She also meets Blossom, a butterfly-like being, and faints from the shock.
Upon awakening in Cal’s apartment, Bea learns that he works with imaginary friends (IFs) to find them new children, as their original creators have grown up and forgotten them. Initially hesitant, Bea decides to help Cal in his mission.
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Cal takes Bea to Memory Lane Retirement Home, a sanctuary for forgotten IFs located beneath a swing ride in Coney Island. There, she meets various whimsical IFs, including Bubble, Unicorn, Spaceman, and others. Encouraged by Lewis, an elderly teddy bear and head of the facility, Bea uses her imagination to redesign the drab home, bringing joy to its residents.
Bea attempts to match an IF with Benjamin, a young hospital patient, but he cannot see them. Lewis suggests that IFs might need to reunite with their original creators instead. Inspired, Bea discovers that Blossom was once her grandmother’s IF. Playing a record from Margaret’s youth rekindles her memories, and she joyfully reunites with Blossom.
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Bea, Cal, and Blue locate Blue’s original child, Jeremy, now an adult facing challenges. With Bea’s encouragement, Jeremy remembers Blue, gaining confidence for a crucial business presentation.
When Bea’s father’s condition worsens, she comforts him by sharing a heartfelt story, expressing her need for him. He awakens, and Bea notices that the IFs have vanished. Upon returning to Cal’s apartment to thank him, she finds it empty. Realizing from an old drawing that Cal was her own forgotten IF, Bea reconnects with him, promising never to forget again.
Cal resumes his work of reuniting IFs with their original creators. Benjamin eventually sees his own IF, a bespectacled dragon, symbolizing hope and the enduring power of imagination.
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Director: John Krasinski
Voice cast: Cailey Fleming, Ryan Renolds, Brads Pitt, John Kransinski, Fiona Shaw amongst many others.
Runtime: 108 minutes
Watch trailer here.
