Usually when a film sits on a shelf unreleased in countries such as the US and UK it usually means it's a real stinker and one which will never make any money.
If Only is a surprise purely because it's not a disaster. In fact it has a lot going for it. The film deals with losing love in tragic circumstances but then getting another chance to do things differently. Obviously it's fantasy but it's a compelling story that makes you think more after you've seen the film.
Jennifer Love Hewitt is sparky and very likable in the female lead while Paul Nicholls makes a good leap from the TV screen to the big screen. Together they have good chemistry and there are moments that make you smile, at other times you're feeling for the characters.
On the negative side some of the script is clunky when it comes to portraying the British, there's also some holes concerning time where our characters take a train to the lake district from London and spend several hours there before being back in London for 7pm. In reality that just wouldn't be the case. It also doesn't end when it should and instead tacks on a several months later scenario.
Ultimately If Only is a nice way to spend 90-minutes. I honestly believe that is this movie had been picked up and marketed to women around valentines day then it could have been a modest success. It's certainly better than some of the trash that get's a mainstream release these days.
If Only is a surprise purely because it's not a disaster. In fact it has a lot going for it. The film deals with losing love in tragic circumstances but then getting another chance to do things differently. Obviously it's fantasy but it's a compelling story that makes you think more after you've seen the film.
Jennifer Love Hewitt is sparky and very likable in the female lead while Paul Nicholls makes a good leap from the TV screen to the big screen. Together they have good chemistry and there are moments that make you smile, at other times you're feeling for the characters.
On the negative side some of the script is clunky when it comes to portraying the British, there's also some holes concerning time where our characters take a train to the lake district from London and spend several hours there before being back in London for 7pm. In reality that just wouldn't be the case. It also doesn't end when it should and instead tacks on a several months later scenario.
Ultimately If Only is a nice way to spend 90-minutes. I honestly believe that is this movie had been picked up and marketed to women around valentines day then it could have been a modest success. It's certainly better than some of the trash that get's a mainstream release these days.