What If 2013

We already know that the market for romantic comedies in Hollywood is somewhat saturated, but when it comes to independent romantic comedies there is something that still manages to captivate me about them. Perhaps the fact that they are smaller productions make them more honest and that "indie feeling" in the air seems to make them more realistic. What If is one of those cases.

Wallace just come out of a relationship completely heartbroken. It is not on his intention to fall in love quickly, but at a party he knows the cousin of his best friend, a girl called Chantry and they immediately create a bound between them. The chemistry between the two was absolutely spontaneous but at the end of the night Chantry says that she has a boyfriend.

Although the formula has been used countless times, and the more predictable that the story may be, the plot is well structured, the characters are quite nice and the humor is very intelligent with a lot of charm to the mix. The use of visual animation on the film is very interesting considering that Chantry works in animation, we see all different figures that illustrate the situations in which the characters are in that specific time of the film. The use of indie rock soundtrack goes really well and fits perfectly the atmosphere.

Daniel Radcliffe is increasingly moving away from the role of the famous wizard, Harry Potter. When the saga ended I had my doubts, such a remarkable role in the career of an actor can be something worrying, but what is certain is that Radcliffe has proven to be a good actor and can do other styles. Here in the lead role, he is able to make us believe every attitude and feeling of his character. For his first romcom he did very well. Zoe Kazan is absolutely lovely, a very cute and awkward performance that touches the heart. The chemistry existing between the two actors is remarkable. The supporting cast, Adam Driver, just to name one, were also pretty great.

Despite all the predictability that the story may have, when What If comes to the end it will leave you with a huge smile on your face. Delightful.

Wallace has dropped out of medical school due to his girlfriend cheating with a member staff, his most recent heartache in a long line of bad relationships. With his parents dubious past also haunting him he decides he will not bother with love. Soon after he meets Chantry an animator at a party and they seem to gel instantly. Chantry is already in a long term relationship and boyfriend Ben. Despite his early misgivings Wallace and Chantry strike up a strong friendship. Deep down though Wallace begins to wonder if you truly can be just ‘friends’ with a girl without one of you falling in love….

Does that synopsis sound familiar? Anyone old enough to have seen ‘When Harry Met Sally’? This is channelling so strongly from that superior film that anyone who thinks this is an original and different take on romantic comedy has either never seen the Billy Crystal starrer or is too young to have even heard of it.

That’s not to say What If, original titled ‘The F Word’ is not without charm and romantic comedy, it is you have just seen this all, so many times before. In fact, the whole ‘romantic comedy’ genre has become more and more sterile and flabby as the years go by. It is a brave director and actors who come into this arena and hope the ‘freshen thing up a bit’.

Clearly Daniel Radcliffe is determined to shake off his Harry Potter cloak of recognition and this is another diverse film on his cv. He certainly has a friendly charm about him and you can believe he is friends with Zoe Kazan’s character but I never felt the connection of chemistry that said these two loved each other. Too many of the scenes seemed to be leading me by the nose down this alley or that path. For instance, the obligatory ‘falling out with each other and not talking interlude’ seemed utterly contrived and forced, even for a romantic comedy.

I understand to make a modern romantic comedy you are going to follow a certain formula, but when are writers going to realise that not everyone on the planet has a great, interesting, job? One works as an animator, one works for the friggin’ UN and the other is a medical student drop out. No other characters seem to work or have a job that is worthy of talking about. Whilst we’re on the topic, how about the names, Wallace and Chantry, having unusual names does not make you character any more interesting. I find this, in all films, annoying.

The main characters are all fairly well acted and cast, with Adam Driver and his girlfriend/wife to be played by Megan Park, diverting from be running on the amoral, annoying, twerps track onto the ‘they’re okay’ rail. This is a good deviation away from the usual storylines in romantic comedies but the film lets itself down by reverting to so many other tried and tested and ultimately tired romantic comedy clichés.

For instance, why does the existing boyfriend have to be a bit of a-hole, okay he’s not a total one but threatening his girlfriend’s new male friend within minutes of meeting her? How did he hide this psycho side from Chantry for all of these years? If you have a tick list, you would tick most of the clichés off.

Ultimately this is a shame because the film is trying hard to resist falling into the traps it falls into. The ‘chase her across the continents on a plane’ is different but it is in there, and there is the problem and the let-down.

I would say anyone looking for light comedy with likeable performances will not be disappointed but just don’t looking for something different.

Hmmm, haven’t I met you before in different clothes?”