Hip and charming "What if" mines the familiar idea of friends and (as) lovers"What if" is 2014's hip, cloying rom com answer to the familiar question: can you be best friends and lovers too? Smart, well-acted and utterly charming, it's hardly anything new and mines similiar territory as 2009's hit "500 Days of Summer," but it's hard not to like. Medical school dropout Wallace (Daniel Radcliffe) has been repeatedly burned by bad relationships and decides to put his love life on hold. He then meets Chantry (Zoe Kazan) an animator who lives with her longtime boyfriend Ben (Rafe Spall). Wallace and Chantry form an instant connection, striking up a close friendship. There's no denying the chemistry between the two, leading them to wonder, what if the love of your life is actually your best friend? "What if" is a Canadian film from Canadian director Michael Dowse ("Take Me Home Tonight") that's an enjoyable, quirky indie rom com with two very likable leads in "Harry Potter's" Radcliffe and Kazan. It's overly familiar and often a little too self-aware for it's own good, but you'll still leave with a smile on your face. Kazan, in a witty performance, will likely steal your heart in the same vein of Meg Ryan, while Radcliffe continues to impress in some smart post-"Potter" film choices. Adam Driver, the Emmy-nominated actor from HBO's "Girls," nearly steals the movie from the leads as one of Wallace's college pals, and he's as smart and handsome as the film itself (and you'll be seeing plenty more of him in numerous film over the next couple of years, including the new "Star Wars" update). Sure, you've seen "What if" before and you're likely to predict the climax well before you get there, but it's so darn charming you may not mind. Worth a look for rom com and Radcliffe's "Potter" fanbase.
Wes's Grade: B
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