IF

"Bea" (Cailey Fleming) arrives to stay with her grandmother (Fiona Shaw) so she can be near her father (John Krasinski) who is having cancer treatment at a nearby hospital. It's a fairly traumatic time for everyone, but it also becomes quite puzzling for the youngster when she encounters "Blosson", "Blue" (who's actually purple) and their handler "Cal" (Ryan Reynolds) living in the apartment upstairs. She quickly discovers what an "IF" is, and is introduced to loads of them, now adrift in a world where their original partners have grown up and forgotten them. "Cal" and his friends are trying to re-home these friendly and creative critters, and so "Bea" takes an hand helping out. Their first target for a new friend is the friendly "Benjamin". He's a patient in the same hospital as her dad, prone to breaking his bones and though outwardly cheery and good-natured, cuts a rather lonely sight in his room. As the story continues we begin to suspect that it's not just him that needs an "IF". Sure, it's derivative at times, but there's an engaging effort from the young Fleming and the sparing use of the colourful and well integrated visual effects along with some cheery scripting and a few amiable supporting characters that could easily inhabit any toy-box (I liked the bear and the tasting marshmallow) wired well. Also, Reynolds takes enough of a back seat not to impose his presence too firmly on the proceedings. It's an amiable story about family, loneliness and growing up that encourages folks to use and enjoy their imagination. I wasn't really expecting to, but I did quite enjoy this.