What If Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Harry Potter drops out of wizard school to become a professional friend, which works out surprisingly well because everyone in this movie has questionable boundaries.

🍿 What If: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Wallace and Chantry Meet

Wallace, a medical school dropout recovering from a bad breakup, meets Chantry at a party. They quickly bond over their quirky senses of humor and similar interests. However, Wallace learns that Chantry has a long-term boyfriend, Ben.

Friendship Develops

Despite Chantry’s relationship, Wallace and Chantry become close friends. They spend time together, share personal stories, and navigate the complexities of their growing feelings for each other while maintaining a platonic boundary. Wallace struggles with his romantic feelings, and Chantry grapples with her loyalty to Ben.

Complications Arise

Ben moves to Dublin for work, creating distance between him and Chantry. Wallace and Chantry’s relationship intensifies, leading to awkward situations and increasing tension. They must decide whether to act on their feelings or maintain their friendship.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Wallace (Daniel Radcliffe): A medical school dropout with a history of bad relationships who grapples with his feelings for his best friend.
• Chantry (Zoe Kazan): An animator who is in a long-term relationship and forms a close friendship with Wallace, questioning the boundaries of their relationship.
• Allan (Adam Driver): Wallace’s outgoing and humorous roommate who encourages him to pursue his feelings.
• Nicole (Mackenzie Davis): Allan’s partner who provides a contrasting, confident perspective on relationships and love.
• Ben (Rafe Spall): Chantry’s well-meaning but somewhat distant boyfriend who works for the United Nations.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Wallace: “In fairy tales, love inspires you to be noble and courageous, but in real life, love is just an all-purpose excuse for selfish behavior.” – Wallace expresses his cynical view on love based on his past experiences.
• Wallace: “It’s not as if I bathed in the blood of an orphan or masturbated over a kitten.” – Wallace’s humorous proclamation when discussing boundaries in friendships.
• Chantry: “I will look, if you’ll look.” – Chantry said to Wallace, agreeing to check each other for hidden cameras at dinner.
• Allan: “I just had sex, and I’m about to eat nachos! It’s the greatest moment of my life – unless you screw it up with whatever you’re about to say.” – Allan’s comical statement after having sex, perfectly capturing his character’s bluntness.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $11,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $3,493,000
• Worldwide Gross: $8,526,288

💥 What If Reviews

Personal Review

I really enjoyed What If because it felt so relatable. The awkwardness between Wallace and Chantry was funny and genuine, and I found myself rooting for them even when they were making questionable decisions. The scene where they’re stuck on the beach was hilarious, but also kind of sad, because you could feel the tension building. It’s a cute movie with some real moments, and I definitely recommend it if you’re a fan of rom-coms with a bit of an indie vibe.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of romantic comedies”
  • “Viewers who enjoy quirky and witty humor”
  • “Those interested in stories about friendship and love”
  • “Daniel Radcliffe and Zoe Kazan fans”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Some strong language”
  • “Suggestive dialogue”
  • “Brief nudity”
  • “Thematic elements involving relationships and infidelity”

Professional Reviews

• The Squiss: “What If suffers from a lack of originality and chemistry. While Adam Driver and Mackenzie Davis shine, the leads feel awkward, making it hard to invest in their relationship. Some funny moments are overshadowed by an overdone plot, leaving the film feeling dull.
• KidsFirst!: “This is a heartwarming and genuine film that balances humor and touching moments effectively. Daniel Radcliffe and Zoe Kazan display great chemistry, and the story emphasizes good morals and boundaries. Great for young adults looking for a feel-good movie!
• RagingFilm: “What If offers a realistic and funny look at the friend zone. Daniel Radcliffe and Zoe Kazan excel in their roles, supported by a quirky cast. The film explores complex emotions and questions the boundaries between friendship and love, making it a relatable and delightful experience.

Audience Reactions

Adam Driver steals every scene he’s in with his hilarious performance and impeccable comedic timing.: The performances, especially from Daniel Radcliffe and Zoe Kazan, are consistently praised for their charm and chemistry.

The movie’s witty dialogue and quirky humor make it stand out from typical romantic comedies.: Viewers appreciate the movie’s exploration of friendship and its complexities, even if the ending is somewhat predictable.

Overall Consensus: A charming and quirky romantic comedy with great performances and witty dialogue, though some find it predictable and clichéd.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film was originally titled ‘The F Word’ but was changed to ‘What If’ for its US release.”
• “Daniel Radcliffe mentioned that this role was his first time playing a contemporary character, enjoying the experience of just stepping onto set and talking.”
• “The crazy credits at the end of the movie were done with Chantry’s animations, telling some of the story and backstory.”

🖥️ How to Watch What If?

What If is available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options. Physical copies (Blu-ray/DVD) can be purchased from retailers like Amazon and Best Buy.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed What If, you might like these similar films:

• (500) Days of Summer (2009): Deals with unconventional romance and explores the complexities of relationships with a similar indie vibe.
• When Harry Met Sally… (1989): Explores the question of whether men and women can truly be just friends, a central theme in ‘What If’.
• Ruby Sparks (2012): Features Zoe Kazan in another quirky, unconventional romantic role that explores unique relationship dynamics.
• Man Up (2015): A modern British romantic comedy with a similar awkward and charming feel, exploring chance encounters and unexpected connections.

🛒 What If Related Products

• What If? Blu-ray: Experience What If in high-definition with bonus features, including behind-the-scenes content and deleted scenes. It’s the perfect addition to any rom-com lover’s collection.
• The F Word (What If) Movie Poster: A high-quality poster featuring the iconic image from the movie, perfect for decorating a bedroom, living room, or home theater. Show your love for this charming rom-com.
• What If…? The Official Movie Companion: Go behind the scenes of the Marvel animated series What If…? with concept art and interviews.
• Word Magnets Kit: Emulate the movie’s iconic fridge magnet scene with your own word magnet kit! Create your own quirky phrases and express your feelings just like Wallace.

🎧 Soundtrack

What If features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “(Walking Through the) Sleeping City” – performed by The Parting Gifts

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

What If Official Trailer #1 (2014) – Daniel Radcliffe Romantic Comedy HD

Curious about this rom-com with Daniel Radcliffe? Take a peek! The trailer gives you a great feel for the movie’s humor and heart, I definitely wanted to watch it after seeing this.

✨ Rate