If Only (2004)

It takes a tragedy to teach the young businessman Ian to put love ahead of work and open up to his musician girlfriend Samantha.

Director:

Gil Junger

Writer:

Christina Welsh

Stars:

Jennifer Love Hewitt, Paul Nicholls, Tom Wilkinson

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jennifer Love Hewitt	...	Samantha Andrews
Paul Nicholls	...	Ian Wyndham
Tom Wilkinson	...	Taxi Driver
Diana Hardcastle	...	Claire
Lucy Davenport	...	Lottie
Roy Sampson	...	Dunbar
Kevin Moore	...	Hotel Employee
Neville Phillips	...	Concert MC
Ben Ridgeway	...	Teenage Boy
Teo-Wa Vuong	...	Enniko
Terence Harvey	...	Trahem
Al Wilde	...	Oliver
Danny Babington	...	Nigel
Stewart Wright	...	Mike
Graham Turner	...	Richard

Storyline

After his impetuous musician girlfriend, Samantha, dies in an accident shortly after they had a fight (and nearly broke up), a grief-stricken British businessman, Ian Wyndham, living in London gets a chance to relive the day all over again, in the hope of changing the events that led up to her getting killed.

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Plot Keywords:

bare chested male | true love | multiple outcomes | personal growth | death of girlfriend | 

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Taglines:

He loved her like there was no tomorrow.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Fantasy | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some sexual material

Details

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 July 2004 (Lebanon)

Also Known As:

Antes que Termine o Dia

Filming Locations:

Santa Clarita, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Intermedia Films, Outlaw Productions (I), Love Spell Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jennifer Love Hewitt wrote the two songs she performs in the movie.

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Quotes

Taxi Driver: What if she never came back?
Ian Wyndham: What sort of a question is that?
Taxi Driver: Well, go on, picture it. You wave goodbye at the airport, she gets on the airplane, you never see her again... could you live with that?
Ian Wyndham: No... No, I couldn't.
Taxi Driver: Well, then you know what to do. Appreciate her and what you have. Just love her.

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Connections

References Dr. Phil (2002)

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Soundtracks

Love Will Show You Everything
Music by Paul Englishby
Lyrics by Jennifer Love Hewitt and Gil Junger
Performed by Jennifer Love Hewitt
Arranged and Produced by Paul Englishby
Additional vocals arranged by Xavier Bar

User Reviews

A moving, well crafted romance with standout performances

I attended the Sarasota Film Festival recently. "If Only" was the opening night film there, but I passed on the initial screening. However, it generated great buzz from those who saw it, so I caught the second screening of the film at the festival, and I must say I was stunned at how good this film was.

Emily (Jennifer Love Hewitt) and Peter (Paul Nicholls, British newcomer) are a young couple living together in London. Peter is a British businessman, Emily, an American, is an aspiring singer. The film opens with some sweet, light hearted comedy as we are introduced to the couple. However, when the two have issues many young couples deal with, they are left on a bad note when suddenly tragedy strikes and their relationship is ended. It is very hard to get in to more detail without giving away too much of the film, but let's just say, we are treated to a touching dramatic story of a romance as we see what a unique opportunity could bring and how we should never take for granted what we say or do in relationships because of what can happen in life.

When you run in to a film of this nature, you always wonder about whether the film will try too hard to pull the heart strings to manipulate an emotional reaction, but the movie is so great at avoiding that. The film is genuinely touching with outstanding, intelligent writing, moving and serious with nice sprinkles of humor when appropriate, and very well paced direction. The acting, to me though, is the biggest shocker. I'd never heard of Paul Nicholls before, but he is a very charming presence. Another reviewer mentioned Hugh Grant, and that is spot on. He is a very charismatic young actor and could develop in to a star down the road. Tom Wilkinson, a staple in very strong independent films ("In the Bedroom" being his favorite of mine though "The Full Monty" has always been near the top of my list as well), graces the movie with another good performance in a supporting role. The biggest standout to me though has to be Jennifer Love Hewitt. I've seen a few of her films, and while she was attractive and charismatic at times, I was fairly unimpressed with her ability as she was usually glossy and two dimensional. I had major doubts about her ability to actually be a lead in a good dramatic film, which is why I skipped this before the great festival buzz, but I have to say, she was perfect. Her physical attributes are more subdued in this film, sure she is pretty, but she has to actually carry this film on her skills as an actress and she pulls it off. She shows range, nails some very emotional scenes, and does something that is the key to pulling off this type of role, which is make you care about what happens to her character. Her happiness comes across as genuine, as does her excitement at a major event that occurs in the film, as does her pain. The performances by Hewitt and Nicholls are what make the climax of the film so dramatic and emotional. This film should advance Hewitt's career beyond the type of run of the mill Hollywood fare that she has based her movie career on so far. She shows great potential as a good leading lady in more serious films which, frankly, is the last thing I expected going in to this film.

"If Only" is independently produced, it is not a studio film, which is why it was showing at the festival as it is making the rounds looking for U.S. distribution. As is often the case, these types of films allow the discove ry of great newcomers (Nicholls) and the chance for more established actors to stretch themselves outside their previous mainstream work (Hewitt) in hopes of making a small film that beats out the major studio work with quality in writing, acting and directing and this film has accomplished that goal. I hope that this film finds the success it deserves down the road; it was the surprise, and treat, of the festival for me and many others in attendance. It is a beautiful love story and an extremely effective film at keeping you involved in the development of the characters for the full two hours. Thumbs up from me and keep an eye out for it.