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EDITOR'S PICK
'What
If' - boringly monotonous (IANS Movie Review)
Rating:
*1/2
What happens when a heartbroken, asocial, medical school dropout meets an
easy-going, young girl who has a good love life and a long distance boyfriend?
The outcome is but obvious.
Set in Toronto, Wallace (Daniel Radcliffe) meets attractive animator Chantry
(Zoe Kazan) whose boyfriend Ben (Rafe Spall) is based in Dublin. Well, sparks
don't fly instantly, but the underlying attraction is evident.
From opting to being good friends and being in a platonic relationship, their
"let's hangout" friendship blossoms into love, which both are somewhat
confused about and scared to admit.
The story of this frivolous rom-com truly does not progress much by way of
unfolding and offering anything new for the viewer in the 90 odd minutes of
screen time. It merely revolves around the chance and planned meetings of the
duo.
The humour, if any, comes in the form of some amusing dialogues. Wallace's best
friend Allan (Adam Driver) and his obsession with sex, his whirlwind wedding
with his girlfriend, Nicole (Mackenzie Davis), their sexapades, and Chantry and
Wallace's fascination for Elvis Presley's dietary habits -- are other forced
attempts to boost the otherwise drab script.
Radcliffe's performance is as lacklustre as his character Wallace. It is the
effervescent and vulnerable, Zoe Kazan who delivers an honest performance which
somewhat salvages the otherwise mediocre film. Adam Driver portrays the
sex-obsessed Allan with conviction, while Rafe Spall as the righteous Ben is
an-oft seen flat character.
The expected undercurrents of sexual tension between the couple are palpable,
especially in the changing room scene where Wallace helps Chantry who is
entangled while trying out a dress. But given the platonic nature of their
friendship and the unadventurous character that Radcliffe plays, no lines are
crossed.
Director Michael Dowse obviously believes in love and perhaps had a modern fairy
tale in mind. He tries hard to convince the viewer, through Wallace and Chantry,
but fails to, owing to a shoddy and weak script written by Elan Mastai which is
adapted from T.J. Dawe and Michael Rinaldi's play, "Toothpaste and
Cigars".
The amateurish camera work and poor lighting don't elevate the viewing
experience either. The production values of the film are ordinary.
"When you know everything is going to fall apart, you don't give up what is
good" clearly reaffirms Dowse's positive beliefs. But one cannot vouch for
certain that the viewer is convinced of this type of love.
"What If" fails to live up to the element of surprise that the title
suggests. It does not strike an emotional chord either. This film clearly leaves
you wanting for more.