Movie review by Rashid Irani: What If is a winning diversion

Adapted from the 2003 play, Toothpaste and Cigars, this film marches bravely into Woody Allen and Nora Ephron territory. Starring Daniel Radcliffe, it asks if two people with obvious chemistry can maintain a low-key friends-only relationship without physical intimacy.

What If

Daniel-Radcliffe-in-What-If

Direction: Michael Dowse

Actors: Daniel Radcliffe, Zoe Kazan

Rating: 3.5/5

This one’s a pleasant surprise. A smart and sassy romantic comedy about the ups and downs of platonic relationships, What If features Daniel Radcliffe, the titular boy wizard from the Harry Potter series, grown into adulthood quite nicely.

He portrays a heartbroken medical school dropout who meets with a zesty animator (Kazan, granddaughter of the legendary filmmaker Elia Kazan). Sparks fly. But she’s already in a long-term relationship with her lawyer boyfriend (Rafe Spall).

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So can they maintain a low-key friends-only relationship without physical intimacy? Adapted from the 2003 play, Toothpaste and Cigars, and set and filmed in Toronto, directors Dowse marches bravely into Woody Allen and Nora Ephron territory.

The chemistry between Daniel Radcliffe and the doe-eyed Zoe Kazan sizzles. In sum, What If is a winning diversion.