Medical-school dropout Wallace has been repeatedly burned by bad relationships. So while everyone around him, including his roommate Allan, seems to be finding the perfect partner, Wallace decides to put his love life on hold. It is then that he meets Chantry, an animator who lives with her longtime boyfriend Ben. Wallace and Chantry form an instant connection, striking up a close friendship. Still, there is no denying the chemistry between them, leading the pair to wonder, what if the love of your life is actually your best friend?
Acting
Radcliffe's awkward Canadian charm is weirdly perfect
Writing
Elan Mastai's banter actually sounds like humans talking
Practical Effects
Chantry's papercut animation sequences are genuinely gorgeous
Director
Michael Dowse
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Originally titled 'The F Word' everywhere except the US, where distributors panicked about the R-rating implication. The compromise title 'What If' somehow makes it sound like a medical drama.
This film quietly launched the 'sad indie boys with jobs in medicine or tech falling for manic pixie dream girls with creative careers' pipeline that dominated 2010s rom-coms. Toronto never looked more aggressively hipster.
CA
US
