The opening credits ofIF recalls the scene of Carl and Ellie growing old together in Up. Beautiful moments of life quietly colored by the illness of a loved one. It’s touching and tragic.
John Krasinski, who, in addition to having written and directed IF (Imaginary friendsin French), plays the role of the widowed father, thus announcing the tone of his fifth feature film: there will be smiles and tears.
Bea (Cailey Fleming, seen in The Walking Dead and promised to a long career) is 12 years old and no longer a child. At least that’s what she tries to project. She does everything to stay strong following the death of her mother, but the surgery her father is awaiting takes a toll on her. Without it being explained – possibly due to stress – she starts seeing imaginary friends: a big purple monster called Bleu (the voice of Steve Carell), a butterfly ballerina with a retro look called Blossom ( Phoebe Waller-Bridge) and several other characters who are too little exploited.
She also meets Cal (Ryan Reynolds, too exasperated for the situation), who has the same gift, or rather, as far as he is concerned, the same curse. Because these imaginary friends have been wandering since their children grew up and forgot them. Cal tries, without much effort, to find them new young companions. Bea, since she is still a child after all, will help him and the two will experience moments of wonder.
PHOTO JONNY COURNOYER, PROVIDED BY PARAMOUNT PICTURES
Ryan Reynolds and Cailey Fleming in IF
It is above all this feeling thatIF tries to arouse. The importance of cherishing your memories, keeping your child’s heart and enjoying every moment are remembered in different ways. It’s hard to be against it, but audiences of family films are well aware of these messages, which are often delivered more subtly and with more originality.
Missed opportunity
Rather than being zany, imaginary friends are cute, wise and endearing. The few burlesque moments are not crude in any way. Without contesting this decision, more madness would have been appreciated. The comic potential was there with creatures, such as ice cream in a glass of water, a burning marshmallow and an air bubble. The opportunity seems all the more missed when we see the long list of talented actors who lend their voices.
John Krasinski’s approach is very classic. His camera takes its time and often stops on the expressive face of Cailey Fleming. Even his playing has an “old-fashioned” touch. Never going overboard, she delivers her emotions with accuracy and maturity. She and a few other actors declaim moving monologues which also recall another era – that of the pigeon lady in Home Alone 2, For example. Speaking of the works of John Hughes, the lovely score by Michael Giacchino, who composed the music for several Pixar titles, submerges us in nostalgia.
In a few years, IF will likely be a refuge film for many families looking for comfort. Despite its lack of rhythm and its strong message, it remains a beautiful film that warms the hearts of children, young and old.
Indoors
Family comedy
IF (VF: Imaginary friends)
John Krasinski
With Cailey Fleming, Ryan Reynolds, John Krasinski
1:44 a.m.