FILM REVIEW: WHAT IF (15)

As if by magic, Daniel Radcliffe has transformed himself from a teenage wizard to a young Hugh Grant.

In popular culture, the term ‘friend-zone’ refers to a platonic relationship where one individual wishes to take things further(romantically) whilst the other does not. Admit it; we’ve all been there at one point or another. With that dreaded ‘friend-zone’ being the main concept of What If, this is a film that many will relate to.

What If tells the story of Wallace (Daniel Radcliffe), a medical school dropout who’s heartbroken from a bad breakup. Just as he’s about to give up on love, he meets Chantry (Zoe Kazan), an animator who seems too good to be true. The two of them would be perfect for each other if it weren’t for fact that she is in a long-term relationship with her boyfriend Ben (Rafe Spall).

Chantry makes it clear to Wallace that if the two were to become friends, they could be nothing more – therefore putting him firmly in the ‘friend-zone’.

Earlier scenes in the film give a glimpse of how good What If could’ve been. For example, one part of the movie sees an already disastrous dinner party end with Wallace accidentally knocking Ben out OF a window. If that slapstick energy had continued throughout the movie, this really could’ve been a film that stands out from the rest.

Don’t get me wrong though… it ticks all the boxes for a perfect date movie. And with big explosive summer blockbusters dominating the box-office, it’s also a refreshing change of pace.

See What If (and much more) at the Showcase Cinema now. Visit www.showcasecinemas.co.uk for the latest up-to-date showtimes. You can also join the chat on Twitter @showcasecinemas or on Facebook by searching for ‘Showcase Cinemas UK’.

Mikey Clarke

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Zoe Kazan, Rafe Spall & Adam Driver

Running Time: 1hr 42 mins

Directed by: Michael Dowse

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