What If ***
Daniel Radcliffe is trying all kinds of film projects in an attempt to shake off the boy wizard label once and for all – and understandably so. This time, it’s rom-com territory, but not just any old rom-com, one of those quirky indie ones that seem to embrace oddball characters and allow them to find each other and bond. What If is one such film that allows an untraditionally good-looking rom-com lead like Radcliffe the comedy space to explore while tapping into a natural resource he so obviously has. Although very charming with a great supporting cast to help Radcliffe on his way, there is still something that doesn’t quite click about the whole picture.
Wallace (Radcliffe) has failed in a string of relationships but bonds one evening at a party with Chantry (Zoe Kazan of Ruby Sparks fame). The trouble is Chantry lives with long-term lawyer boyfriend Ben (Rafe Spall) who has the looks, the job and all. Settling for being good friends, Wallace realises he wants more, the more time he spends with Chantry. What will happen when he finally confesses all? Will he lose his best friend?
Indeed, there is absolutely a bit of When Harry Met Sally channelled here, with the whole premise of ‘can men and women be friends without the sex part getting in the way’? Obviously, the answer is no if there’s sexual attraction there in the first place. What If starts from that perspective and tries the usual banter in exploring this throughout, but is a far cry from the mega successful and well-written 1989 film (the year Radcliffe was born, incidentally). What If – based on the play Toothpaste and Cigars – does have more cool factor for a present-day audience, representing the idyllic bohemian Toronto lifestyle and social set – thankfully, not re-treading the same-old New York stomping ground (again).
Radcliffe and now real-life squeeze Kazan are an intriguing and complimenting match – both not your standard rom-com fit. This gives things a more commonplace feel that more cerebral rom-coms are favouring. Radcliffe delivers some hilarious lines but needs work on his delivery to perfect a seamless combination of funny and charming – it does feel forced sometimes. That said Kazan seems to have perfected her art and picks up the ball in certain scenes with breezy and witty charisma.
It’s perhaps the appearance of Adam Driver as Wallace’s best friend Allan, an actor no stranger to rom-coms – and soon to take the lead in Hungry Hearts – that also keeps things spirited and on an even keel. Driver is a master at delivering harsh, hysterical truths and is a much-needed catalyst here, alongside Canadian-born Mackenzie Davis as brilliantly wild and kooky dreamer Nicole. Amidst all the oddity, screenwriter Elan Mastai and director Michael Dowse still feel the need to add the stereotypical man-eating blonde bombshell (Chantry’s sister) Dalia (Megan Park) that feels like a token nod to all carbon-copy rom-coms and quite out of place here.
The film does amble off to an entirely different continent, which always poses a risk with a rom-com in dampening the affection we are meant to be developing for not only the characters but also the place in which the film is set. This is the part of the story that is less strong and tad slapstick in nature. But we do get an introduction to Fool’s Gold that will have you drooling or baulking and is the key ingredient and link that this film will be remembered for.
What If is a solid start to a career path that really suits Radcliffe’s personality and it will instantly please fans of the actor. It’s a crowd-pleaser rather than a notable notch in the Radcliffe acting belt in this respect, with a bit of fine-tuning by the actor if he chooses to pursue this comedy avenue. It’s a film that also grows on you because the supporting cast do so well to keep it grounded while providing Radcliffe his centre stage to experiment. It’s certainly watchable nevertheless if nothing else appeals at the box office.
3/5 stars
By @Filmgazer
