What If... (I) (2010) User Reviews

Very Deep in Thought

[dallasryan · 7/10 · 3 June 2014]

I like the thought provoking nature of this film, it brings up some very interesting and eye opening questions. Awareness is the word of the day. Also, Kevin Sorbo is likable, he's likable in just about anything he does and I could see that Debby Ryan having a big career ahead of her if she catches the breaks(as is always the case in Hollywood). John Ratzenberger is amazing, I mean really amazing in this role as the Angel. It's such an honest performance that one has to think that if this movie would have had a bigger budget, little tweaks in the script and movie theater exposure/PR exposure, I think he could have been nominated for an academy award then. His performance is excellent.

I think we all would like to do things over at some point, or at least we think we would like too. An awesome concept that Kevin Sorbo's character never thought about it much, but it just happened, a 'what if'. I believe one of the most eye opening questions that arises is where Ratzenberger's character tells Sorbo's character to just commit fully to it, whether he wants to or not(in the scene Sorbo doesn't want to hurt these people and he doesn't feel this is who he is, and Ratzenberger's character is basically saying even if you don't feel it's who you are, commit fully to being that way and see what happens).

I mean how many times in life could we learn and perhaps find true peace within ourselves if we just committed to be something different, something we as human beings didn't believe we were capable of being. Sometimes we get sad and in depressions but yet we refuse to change and are so stuck within our own identities that we believe we're incapable of committing fully to doing or being someone else. Change is 'hard' for us as people. But yet it's so 'simple' because we have the choice to do it. I believe if we committed ourselves to being and doing something else we would find something true in ourselves that we didn't know was there but that was there the whole time, like how Sorbo's character found what he truly was capable of, and really who he truly was. Very eye opening movie, most definitely worth a watch.

What If Kevin Sorbo Starred In Family Man

[aesgaard41 · 7/10 · 13 November 2012]

I like everyone else recall Kevin Sorbo more for "Hercules The Legendary Journeys" than anything else. Even two of his major motion pictures, "Kull" and "Meet The Spartans" were cousins and/or extensions of that role so to see him playing someone more mortal is a dramatic leap. In "What If?," Kevin plays the same character as Nicolas Cage in "Family Man," a successful businessman who discovers the alternate life he might have had if he had made another choice; in this instance if he had followed his religious training and become a preacher. Kristy Swanson plays the girlfriend he left behind and the wife he could have had. Disney actress Debby Ryan plays their teenage daughter with an attitude, and John Ratzenberger, the voice behind all those Pixar films, is the wise angel that takes Kevin on his alternate reality trip. One of the fun parts is that Kevin references "It's A Wonderful Life" when he goes fighting against his role as a husband in the married universe. The plot is very predictable, but the religious undertone is not as strong as you would thing. Although its called a comedy, the humor is subtle; the film is actually more fantasy than a straight comedy, but it is very enjoyable and likable. I'm sure a lot of people will appreciate the religious connotations in this film, but as a family fantasy, adults may get it more than kids.

Some inappropriate dress wear

[beckyjr-53264 · 7/10 · 7 February 2021]

Inappropriate wardrobe from the female cast, too much cleavage showing. Not appreciated

It is the Family Man movie

[marturia-95995 · 29 December 2020]

I could not believe how much this story is a Xerox copy of the Family Man with Nicholas Cage and Tea Leone. The only difference is the story puts God in the story. You might think that the theme is It's a wonderful Life, but once you see Family Man. This movie is the Nicholas Cage story. Maybe the Family Man took the theme of It's a Wonderful Life, but What if...? copied Family Man. I fell in love with this movie when I first saw it. I read here on IMDB that it seemed like it was a combination of It's a Wonderful Life and Family Man. I rented the Family Man movie. It is so similar that it's scary. I highly recommend the movie but the storyline is Family Man. They just added God and put an angel in the story. I would recommend see this and Family Man and you decide.

My first Pure Flix film, very strong Christian theme, very nice and uplifting indeed

[inkblot11 · 7/10 · 27 November 2012]

Ben (Kevin Sorbo) and Wendy (Kristy Swanson) were high school sweethearts. But, alas, they were unevenly yoked. Wendy was a born-again Christian and Ben was more interested in pursuing money. Now, 15 years into the future, Ben is quite a successful investment banker, with a nice-looking fiancé and an uppity attitude. On the day he gets a big promotion, he immediately buys a Mercedes Benz. But, taking it for a test drive, Ben is startled to see all of the lights on the dash go kaput. Baffled, he is nevertheless rescued by a tow truck driver, Mike (John Ratzenburger). As Ben soon finds out, this is no ordinary handyman but an angel in disguise! Mike tells the banker that he needs a serious awakening from his love of money. So, here's the plan. Ben is going to be placed in a "what if" situation. If he had returned to Wendy, as she wanted, they would now be the married couple of two girls. Kerplunk, Ben is "dropped" into his new life. Discovering that he is a pastor who has just been chosen for a job in his hometown, Wendy is getting everyone ready for church. Ben is supposed to give a sermon in less than an hour! Which he does, badly, for there is no way out. Full of resentment, Ben upsets Wendy so much that she suggests he sleep on the couch. The daughters are equally baffled at their uncaring dad. Yet, slowly, Ben realizes he has missed quite a bit of life's better moments. In the end, if given a choice, what would Ben choose? Would it be his material world lifestyle or would he ask God to direct his path? This is an outstanding movie for Christian families and anyone who welcomes a good, clean flick. It has plenty of humor amid its good lessons, making for an entertaining view indeed. Sorbo and Swanson are great as the parents. It might take a bit of an open mind to think of Ratzenburger as an angel, but he does well, too! All other cast members, sets, costumes, photography, script and direction work in unison to create one lovely movie. So, seek and ye shall find, Christian film fans, and go the extra mile to locate other Pure Flix films, too.

Combo of Family Man and It's a Wonderful LIfe

[l-piotrowski · 9/10 · 29 August 2010]

I thought this was a very well written, well acted movie. The film is about a man who gets a chance to see what his life would have been like if he had not made the choices he did.

The story has a Christian viewpoint (disclosure: I am a Christian and agree with the beliefs expressed in the movie), but is not heavy handed at all. I believe people of all faiths or who have no faith will agree with the positive message of the importance of family and serving others.

I have watched a lot of movies by Christian filmmakers and this is definitely one of the best. John Ratzenberger is one of my favorite actors and does a great job in the movie.

As I mention above, the story is similar to the Family Man, but What If, is much better acted and more family friendly that that the Nicholas Cage movie. There is no swearing, violence or sex, but the PG rating is accurate as there are some intense moments . I would not recommend taking small children. I think it is a great date movie.

The movie is in limited release and my wife and I had to drive about 30-40 minutes to get to the theater it was in. I hope it will stay around for a while.

Questioning Life's choices

[jfarms1956 · 3/10 · 10 November 2013]

This is a family film. The movie feels like a remake of "It's A Wonderful Life." What If is a movie which can lead to each of us questioning our choices that we made in life. Kevin Sorbo gives an adequate performance of both a high financial negotiator and a Christian minister. However, I still see Kevin Sorbo as "Hercules" the hero of the common man and noble of spirit. In both his roles, Kevin is still "Hercules" -- hero of the common man with the feelings of the common man as well as being noble of spirit. It is a good movie to watch in the afternoon rather than the evening, although OK to watch in the evening. The movie has no real stressful moments and is easily forgotten once you watch another movie. Enjoy.

Family Entertainment

[silver-spinner · 9/10 · 9 September 2010]

Family Entertainment. You know, the feel-good, wholesome, honest, "take your child to without risking embarrassment" entertainment that is becoming popular once again. Professional cast (who would think of John Ratzenberger as an angel). Tried and true plot (but then how many truly original story lines have you seen lately?). Humor without being a comedy. Serious without being overbearing. Nice without being sticky-sweet. Christian without being overbearing (disclosure, I am a Christian). No blood, gore, bad language, bare-bodies or other objectionable content.

A solid presentation. Intellectual enough that you go home thinking about the plot, not the special effects or love scene. At the same time, not so complicated that your child cannot follow.

Highly recommended.

Blahhhhh

[cru1981 · 1/10 · 15 November 2010]

Another "Modern Day Frank Capra" flick

Can you Say (Mr. Destiny or The Family Man)

We have seen this scenario played out a million times or more.

How many times can you re-create a recreation? Time for some Original Ideas to start Flowing Hollywood! I guess someone just needed a paycheck.

I think a project like this should require some credits to ALL the movies before it. Credits given back to movies that actually came up with the idea first.

I guess Hollywood is finally out of all of its creativity. Time to just collect paychecks for bad movies.

I highly recommend What If...

[sklupella · 10/10 · 9 September 2010]

I thought that this movie was a great throwback to how movies used to be. A modern day It's a Wonderful Life. It was very family friendly and contains many positive messages. For those who are looking for a thought provoking movie this one fits the bill. I saw it with my husband and teenage daughter and it gave us many meaningful conversations. The acting is top notch. We laughed and we cried often one right after the other. I haven't enjoyed an "angel" so much since Clarence. John Ratzenberger is fabulous. Taylor Groothuis who plays the younger daughter is delightful. Kevin Sorbo gives a very convincing performance as the corporate shark and as the man out of his element. As a Christian I was pleased to see an accurate depiction of faith without it seeming cheesy or fake.

Lost in Cliché

[roman8 · 2/10 · 17 March 2011]

"It's finally a well-made Christian movie," people said. "It's a faith-based family movie that gets its messages across without hitting you with it over the head," people said. "It's the best work Kevin Sorbo has ever done," people said. Well, it isn't. Whatever "What If" may be, what it is not is certainly any of the above.

And, frankly: I am hard-pressed to say what it really is and what the hell it wants (and I'm choosing my words deliberately here). What it quite possibly might be, is a vehicle to show you what excellent acting can do in order to carry along a crappy script set in scene by an uninspired director. Because although it is most definitely not the best work Kevin Sorbo has ever done (Andromeda, Hercules, Walking Tall, Avenging Angel, The Santa Suit anyone?), he does do a marvelous job here, congenially supported by Kristy Swanson and John Ratzenberger. But even the best acting can only accomplish so much.

The script is a mess - and a bad mess at that. Ben Walker leaves his home town for the big city, leaving behind his fiancée (why?) and his ministry calling (one may question how strong a calling this might have been in the first place) to take someone up on an offer for a business opportunity. 15 years later he is a successful investment banker, with a talent for merciless deals and a fancy for tailor-cut suits, expensive cars and beautiful women. We get the info that he's left his girl and his calling to fend for themselves, without ever throwing a look back. How some small-town theologian mutated into an investment banker no-one really knows. What's worse: no-one even seems to ask this question ever. Instead, the movie deals in easy messages: big city, fancy cars, uptown girls, nice clothes and general cleanness = bad, ugly houses in lower middle class neighborhoods populated by badly dressed, slightly dirty people with slightly slutty teenage daughters = good.

This is the enviable environment God chooses to drop Ben Walker in, after forcibly removing him from his upper class life on the fast lane. After a weird encounter with an angel masquerading as a mechanic that ends with a knock-out, he wakes up to being the longtime husband of Wendy (the girl he'd left many years before), the father of the said slutty teenage daughter (most woodenly played by the remarkably untalented Debbie Ryan) and another about 7-8-year-old, "supposed to be intoxicating sweet" one (Taylor Groothuis in an annoying cover-version of Shirley Temple) and the newly appointed pastor of a broke church and congregation. After much struggle and a lot of wise words from his very own, godly appointed personal angel, Ben Walker comes to like this new life and starts succeeding at it. Paradoxically, his success in this brave, new "white trash"-world is marked by him using the skills, talents and wisdoms he's developed in his big city, investment banking career.

As a result, the most predominant message of this most inspired work of art is: make lots of money, it can solve every problem you eventually might have.

At some point (somewhere midway through the dramatic finale) the creative minds behind all of this must have realized that something's not quite working out the way it should. In they threw a dying rich old man, who Ben conveniently puts back on track to God, thereby saving both "Scrooge's" and his own soul by it – for the sermon meant for the rich guy is, of course, also meant for himself, since the rich guy is nothing but a parabola of what Ben would end up as, were he to continue on the big city, big career road, blah, blah, blah… In case we didn't get that, he gets to spell it out later in a discussion with his personal angel, who chooses right this moment to inform him that God has now decided that Ben has learned his lesson and may now return back to his old life. May? No. Must!!!

So presumably, the second message of What If is "after solving it all by throwing some money at the world, remember that God is a bit of a sadist who likes to toy around with the lives of mortals", in short: the kind of deity Hercules would have found worthy of some major ass-kicking.

Back in his old life, Ben then quickly reforms by answering God's call: he dumps his fiancée (apparently, God told him to save himself and the world, but rich, middle-aged beauties do not qualify to be among the ones deemed worthy of such endeavor), quits his job, throws some more money and luxury goods at hospital employees and parochial helps and rejoins the simple girl with a heart of gold he'd left many years ago – who apparently didn't build up anything resembling a life in those 15 years, because after a bit of "required" struggle, she generously decides to take Ben back.

Apparently, this constitutes the happy end of it.

The only redeeming quality of this entire, sordidly stupid affair lies in the terrific acting of its three main actors. It is so good, it makes you laugh and cry and feel along with them, in spite of being acutely aware of how embarrassingly poorly written and told a story this is, in spite of the poor technical quality of the camera work, the crappy score, the lame jokes, the bad sound, plainly said: of the really bad work everyone not named Sorbo, Swanson or Ratzenberger delivered on this project.

Sorbo, at least, got a Movietime Award out of it. He should have gotten an Oscar, just for making it through it all with his usual decency.

Fantastic movie! A must see...

[mjs423 · 10/10 · 26 May 2011]

I have seen What If... many times and with each time I watch it, I love it more and more. It is an All Star Cast with perfection in acting.

What If... is the perfect blend of joy, laughter and tears with a wonderful,unforgettable ending!

What If... is going to be a timeless classic and is suitable for all ages. There is a message that is woven into the script that God loves each of us and that He has a purpose for our lives.

I have a background in media and from a technical standpoint, the lighting, the camera and the directing were excellent, no details were missed.

We need more movies like What If... with excellent values. Values that bring people together, values that give a deeper meaning to life.

Excellent job Dallas! I look forward to watching it for years to come and I will keep watch for any other movies you produce...

Matthew Shoemaker

Total rip-off of 'Family Man'

[jobhas · 23 July 2020]

This is a total rip-off of 'Family Man'

The producers of 'Family Man' need to sue the writers.

The writers also ripped off other Christian filmmakers of 'God's Not Dead'.

This is a very serious problem in the body of Christ.

Hypocritical propaganda

[encm-17803 · 1/10 · 21 May 2020]

Even if one could set aside that "What If" is a blatant rip off of "The Family Man"; one cant deny that the hypocrisy of the films so called message is palpable. "Money and success are bad when they get in the way of family and god" is all fine and good but one must wonder where the profits for pure flicks go and especailly how many mouths could get fed with the budget for this film. To me this film is the cinema equivalent to acknowledging the splinter and ignoring the plank. Also the acting, editing, cinematography, soundtrack, and story are garbage.

What if all faith-based films were this good?

[in-d-lover · 10/10 · 1 March 2011]

Perhaps the fastest growing classification of movies, faith-based films have a tendency to sacrifice production value for message. While movies like Facing the Giants and Fireproof have solid messages, they lack in the aesthetic polish audiences get from most Hollywood releases.

With "What If...", Dallas Jenkins manages to give audiences an aesthetically beautiful film with wonderful performances on both sides of the camera. The movie feels like a mid-budget Hollywood release, a remarkable feet considering the low budget and tight shooting schedule. Kevin Sorbo has a great presence throughout, and Kristy Swanson, still beautiful as ever, shows off her dramatic chops. And John Ratzenberger's performance is angelic, in a good-old-boy way.

Still, great direction and performances don't make a great movie unless the story matches. Thankfully, the story of "What If...", albeit somewhat recycled, is outstanding. Living a life of luxury and power, Ben Walker (Sorbo) is chosen by God to receive a glimpse of what his life could have been had he made a different decision 15 years earlier. The bulk of the movie is spent in Ben's alternate reality where he learns the true riches of life.

"What If..." doesn't hide the fact that it's a Christian movie. Still, it doesn't hurl religion at the audience with reckless abandon. In other words, it's a movie that even non-Christians can and should enjoy. Without sex, violence, or language concerns, it's perfectly suited for all ages.

Raising the bar for faith-based films, "What If..." is hopefully the start to higher standards for movies delivering messages of the Highest Standard.

What If I Never Wasted 90 Minutes On This?

[chow913 · 2/10 · 25 August 2014]

What if Hercules married Buffy the Vampire Slayer? It would be really really boring!!!

This is why Christianity is losing! Christian movies are horrible!

So some Christian preacher actually saw Jim Belushi and Linda Hamilton in 'Mr. Destiny' and thought, "Wow, what an inspirational film which deserves a remake."?

Hercules stars as a heartless ruthless money obsessed businessman. But since this is a family film he's totally free of drugs and STDs. So he's really not that bad of a person.

A near death experience via a sports car accident allows Hercules' guardian angel Cliff from 'Cheers' to give him another chance at life. What if Hercules hadn't become a greedy businessman and had instead married his small town high school sweetheart Buffy?

Hercules appears in church where he's a husband, father, and pastor of some non denominational Christian sect. Let's see, only one wife of legal age? That rules out Mormonism.

This scene is reminiscent of the famous 'The 39 Steps' improvised impassioned speech scene. Except here it doesn't work!

So Hercules lost all his money but is married to Kristy Swanson? What, did they fall in love because they were locked in an attic together for 3 years 4 months and 16 days?

If this were real life Hercules would spend the next several years making up for lost time and re consummate their marriage. Hey, their married, it's not immoral or anything.

But of course we have to waste 90 minutes going through the motions of Hercules realizing the emptiness of greed and value being a husband and father. It's the type of script where the audience has already figured out the plot and is just waiting for the characters to finally catch up.

Seriously, there is no chemistry between Hercules and Buffy at all.

Predictably Cliff eventually sends Hercules back in the real world where he rushes to his small home town to profess his love for Buffy whom is still unmarried after 15 years!!! She predictably resists but then reciprocates his bland love.

So the moral of this story is that in 15 years Buffy became an old maid so pathetic she couldn't get past her high school boyfriend to have a successful marriage to someone else? And that the key to a happy life is to marry your high school sweetheart right after graduation? (after Alan Thick soiled her from the ages of 16 to 18)

I can find NO redeeming reason to see this film other than to marvel at how despite putting on weight Kristy Swanson has really kept her looks.

Kevin Sorbo despite putting on weight has also kept his bad acting.

What If...A Christian Movie That Delivers!

[kristinemcguire · 10/10 · 12 September 2010]

Have you ever wondered what your life would be like if you had made different choices? Can we really have a second chance in life to do things differently?

What If...a new Christian movie in theatrical release from Pure Flix Entertainment starring Kevin Sorbo, Kristy Swanson, Debby Ryan, and John Ratzenberger offers a whimsical look into one man's life and the choices he's made over a fifteen year period. The story follows a similar theme as the classic "It's a Wonderful Life" but with a little twist.

What If... is currently playing at one of our local theaters, so I went to see it this afternoon. I cannot tell you how much I love this movie! Everything about the production is top quality (not to mention the added bonus that some of it was filmed in MY city...hooray for Grand Rapids, MI!) and I am thrilled to encourage everyone I know to go out and see it. This is a movie filled with humor and a wonderful message reminding us of God's love and that He has a good plan for each one of our lives.

Here's the plain and simple: What If... truly delivers from beginning to end! Great story, superior acting, and just fun to watch.

By the way, hat's off to Pure Flix Entertainment! A Christian production company which is obviously stepping up it's game and offering top quality movies for all audiences. I can't wait to see what they give us next, especially if it's performed with the same excellence as "What If..."

So if your looking for a great family film check out the official What If... website and find out when and where it's playing in your area. If it's not available then make sure you join the campaign to bring the film to your city because your going to want to take your whole church on a field trip to see it! It would also make an awesome date night movie (hint, hint!)

An Agenda film with bad acting.

[akstandup · 1/10 · 23 February 2012]

I watched but I regret it. A man who swaps one evil for another. Two forms of right-wingedness (wingedness is now a word if it wasn't before) collide. What's best, a fast money earning jerk or a jerk that makes his children go to church. It shows up the inadequacies of both capitalism and Christianity. Appalling. I ticked "spoiler alert" but nothing could spoil this film more than anyone who was involved in it. The concept isn't new but could be intriguing if given decent treatment. When I think of all the creative people in the world who don't get the funding for their ideas. It's a sad state of affairs that garbage like this is using up a place that would be better used by a test card transmission.

Christian messages well delivered

[danaigh · 9/10 · 21 June 2011]

Regardless of the critical comments I was very moved by this film. Can it be that such messages are not understood or well received? That is the main theme of this film, namely: "don't tell me anything, it's 'my' life", "I can do what I want", etc.

The usual problem with themes that contain personality changes is their believability. Ben's resistance to such a change struck me as quite realistic. The transition to his desire to change was a hard task the film had to accomplish.

But for all the fathers out there who remember the time they first held their baby son or daughter....that is a life changing experience. So this man took awhile. But Ben was surrounded by 'his' children and wife. Some fathers do take time to adjust to a new life role....ergo a believable transition.

The Christian themed messages were very well delivered. Even Ben's second, post conversion sermon was actually quite good and fit in well with the films' script.

My only criticisms: the few times the camera was bobbing about...come on guys, use a tripod, and there were some syrupy sweet parts that were a bit much. Otherwise when I'm in tears during a film then it's good enough for me.

Not being Christian shouldn't stop you from watching this film .

[craning10 · 15 July 2011]

I came across this film and the first thing that caught my attention was that it was a Romance which I was looking for . I saw that Kevin Sorbo was also in it as well as John Ratzenberger (Cliff from Cheers fame) and almost wrote it off right there . Having noticed that Kristy Swanson was also in here was enough to make me give it a shot since not for her acting ability but for her sheer beauty and the thought of the "higher faith" aspect seemed secondary at that point .

Previous reviews , many of which were unfairly rated in my opinion due to the Christian content were screaming at me to pass this film over but Kristy won out in the end and I am so glad I watched it in the end .

Kevin Sorbo (Ben) and Kristy Swanson (Wendy) are a couple that are good church going Christians that are about to part ways unbenounced to them at the time with Ben questioning his faith and taking some time to "find" himself and he leaves Wendy high and dry and never returns but in stead makes a new life in the world of finance in the big city .

Someone has bigger plans for him some 15 years later and dispatches an Angel - Mike (Ratzenberger) to show him the light . Ben is thrown head first back into his life that he "could" have had with Wendy and they unite as a family with 2 children as if he had never left but his big city mentality and greed soon cause tension in the marriage but Wendy being a wonderful wife and mother to Ben and their kids stands by her man as he "see's the light" so to speak while Ben gets back to his original calling as a Minister .

They have highs and lows and in the end the big guy decides Ben should leave behind what has now become his life and one that he wants so badly to continue and return to the city to the life he chose at which point this film will either make you shake your head or smile and reach for a tissue as I did , lol .

The main Cast in my opinion did a very nice job of acting and were very believable , the cinematography was good but the editing was choppy at times and definitely gave it that made for TV look but still well worth a watch .

In the end I was left was a lump in my throat and a smile on my face , not enough to stand up and clap but very satisfied with this film , and this coming from a guy that is in no way anywhere close to a Christian but very much a person that is open minded enough to give wonderful little films like this a chance and hope you will as well .

Exactly Imitation of 'Family Man'

[judyj-73024 · 2/10 · 9 February 2021]

I'm just curious if the writers had permission to copy 'Family Man' verbatim?

Everything from story structure to dialogue to characters are all a rip off of 'Family Man' (Nicolas Cage).

If they paid to re-do "Family Man" then I stand corrected. But if they truly ripped off the previous movie, then all producers, writers should be held accountable - not only in the court of law, but also to God above.

A Great Take on an Oft-Told Tale

[ksj870 · 10/10 · 28 June 2012]

Ben Walker (Kevin Sorbo) isn't looking for a second chance. He thinks he did alright the first time around. He's wealthy, the boy wonder of a powerful corporation, and has a gorgeous fiancé' who adores him (or at least his bank account). So when a scruffy old guy called Mike who claims to be an angel (John Ratzenberger) comes along and offers Ben a second chance, Ben turns him down cold. Turns out that Ben doesn't really have a choice… …and when he comes to, Ben finds himself back in the small town he worked so hard to escape, married to his old girlfriend Wendy (Kristy Swanson) and apparently the father of two daughters. To his chagrin, Ben discovers this version of himself is anything but wealthy, and to top it off, he finds out that he's now a minister…just as he's introduced to his new church. Could things possibly get any worse? Or will Ben discover his real life isn't all he thought it was? What If is great little film about the choices we make and the fact that there is indeed a plan for everyone's life. Ben Walker resists this idea, and angrily tells Mike that life has no point: you live, you die, that's it. But Ben didn't always think like that. Fifteen years ago he was on the brink of joining the seminary, and he and Wendy were preparing for a life of ministry together. But Ben left Wendy at the bus station one day and never went back. That day he didn't only break a promise to Wendy, but to God as well.

Kevin Sorbo is absolutely terrific as Ben, and wonderfully conveys the hapless protagonist's gradual transformation from oily and arrogant businessman to frustrated refugee in an alternate timeline to loving father, husband, and pastor. Sorbo has always been a charismatic actor, and his role in What If may be the highlight of his career. Kristy Swanson is likewise great as Ben's loving but confused wife Wendy, and John Ratzenberger imbues his angelic character with personality and down-to-earth sincerity. The script doesn't shy away from religious themes and tackles some weighty ones, but never becomes preachy or cliché.

There are a lot of spiritual films out there during the Christmas season each year, but few of them will hold a candle to What If.

Think Connecticut Yankee

[bkoganbing · 4/10 · 4 November 2018]

TV's former pagan hero Kevin Sorbo is the star in What If.....which examines the proposition of what if he had instead of becoming a filthy rich conglomerate had gone into the ministry. That's what God has in mind to tell him when Sorbo has a freak accident with an airbag and John Ratzenberger comes down as his personal Clarence like guardian angel to show him the alternate universe.

It's quite an alternative that he has. A loving wife in Kristy Swanson and two daughters Debby Ryan and Taylor Groothius and he's the new incoming pastor of the church he grew up in and fell away from. Takes a bit of getting used to, but gradually he thinks less and less like a tycoon and more like a minister.

Since this all has to come to an end you might well ask what happens to Sorbo and Swanson. The only hint I give you is watch Bing Crosby's classic film A Connecticut Yankee In The Court Of King Arthur. Taken straight from that film.

This one might make it out of church basements with some of the names it has as stars.

One of the best faith based movies I have ever seen. A rare "jesus" movie with actual substance. A must see. I say A.

[cosmo_tiger · 8/10 · 21 December 2011]

"Nothing is gonna change...trust me." Ben Walker and his fiancée Wendy are planning their life together when Ben leaves on a trip for only a few months. A few months turns into 15 years and Ben has changed his entire life. His plans for becoming a minister and marrying Wendy changed to how much money can he make being a money hungry investment banker. When an angel comes to Earth and shows Ben what is life could have been like if he stayed on his original plan Ben has a choice to make. Not to cause an argument here but to me most of the faith based movies that come out are very cheesy and unbelievable. Movies like "5th Quarter", "Courage" and even "The Blind Side" to me are not that good mainly because there seems to be no real substance. Those movies are...if this doesn't happen then this can't...next scene everything works out perfect. Like in "Blind Side" when the family is told that if Michael doesn't pass this next test he will not be able to play, and then the very next scene is him saying I passed the test. This movie is the exception. While it does have it's cheesiness and is predictable it has something the other movies didn't...a real character facing real decisions. The only way to describe this movie is that it's very much like "It's a wonderful life" but with more God. To see Kevin Sorbo in a movie like this is strange at first but he does a great job. This is a definite must see for families as it will show what is important in life. Overall, not being a fan of faith based movies I really really enjoyed this one and I highly recommend it. I give it an A.

Great Sermon Illustration, But as a Movie, Only So-So

[pnr_miscellany · 5/10 · 13 September 2013]

It's an OK movie - not great, but OK. It's basically a version of It's a Wonderful Life, just from the other perspective. You get the same kinds of themes and all, but this time George (Ben Walker, actually) gets to leave and then sees not how rotten it would be if he hadn't lived, but how much happier he'd have been had he stayed behind.

The hero of What If... can't, however, be the owner/manager of a savings & loan back at home. If he'd had the wonderful life instead of the life he actually chose, he'd be a preacher. Capra's masterpiece showed a deeply spiritual, loving, Christian way of doing business (particularly as set in opposition to the evil banker, Mr. Potter). Here we get the contrast between the preacher who is doing things just for the Lord, and the businessman doing things for the money. The morality play is absolutely clear cut, and in case you don't quite get it, there are sermons and prayers - some by cute little kids - to make sure you get the message.

It also has its own Christian form of political correctness. They do have the hero (in his "what if" life) graduate from Moody Bible Institute (Baptist/revivalist, though not officially affiliated with any one denomination), but the church he serves is just "Little White Church" - no denomination, no history, no tradition, no nothing. Just the "Little White Church." This also makes it difficult to suspend disbelief and enter into the story as if these are real people whose struggles unfold before us.

And so the movie comes up short.

I find that in quite a bit of art - images, movies, music, books - produced by evangelicals. We can't quite trust the art. We seem afraid of not having it all nailed down so people can't misinterpret it. Instead of telling the story, we preach. Instead of singing the song, we preach. Instead of painting the picture, we preach. Instead of varied forms of art, we have sermon illustrations and most of them are pretty generic so as to be readily adaptable to whatever text you happen to be using this week.

I wonder if this is not some sad legacy of the Protestant Reformation - the iconoclastic riots that destroyed statuary and stained glass and other "images" that tempted to idolatry. Are we still carrying that burden and that's why we have to surround our artistry with sermons lest we be tempted once again? I don't know, but it does seem that Catholic artists don't have the same problem, or at least not as severely.

Don't get me wrong. Preaching is a form of art, too. There is certainly a place for the sermon and the sermon illustration. But a movie or a novel or a song or a picture can be just as God-glorifying without the sermon - and likely more so since it will be better art.

Good art, like a good joke, is diminished if you have to explain it and if I could give any advice to young artists, it would be to let the art speak for itself. What If... can't quite bring itself to do that.