On-Air Film Review: All the Imaginaries in John Krasinski’s “IF”

Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 17, 2024 - 3:44pm

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on May 16th, reviewing “IF” (which means Imaginary Friend) a new live action/animated epic written and directed by John Krasinski. In theaters on May 17th.

Rating: 4.0/5.0

12-year-old Bea (Calley Fleming) has lost her mother to cancer and is trying to leave behind her childhood. When her Dad (John Krasinski) also has a hospital stay, the girl retreats further into a pre-pubescent angst. While staying with her grandmother (Fiona Shaw), Bea notices some strange goings-on in the apartment above them, including an animated bee creature (voice of Phoebe Waller-Bridge) and a put-upon caretaker named Calvin (Ryan Reynolds). It turns out they’re trying to match their collective of IFs (Imaginary Friends) to new kids who will believe in them, and Bea turns out to be the perfect organizer for that task.

“IF” is in theaters on May 17th. Featuring John Krasinski, Ryan Reynolds, Calley Fleming, Fiona Shaw and Bobby Moynihan, as well as the voices of Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Awkafina, Emily Blunt, George Clooney, Matt Damon, Brad Pitt and Jon Stewart, Written and directed by John Krasinski. Rated “PG”