User reviews

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.

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.

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

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.

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. 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.

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 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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!)

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.

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.

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.

"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.