What If...

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.

"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.

I was really lucky and found this on Netflix. It is reminiscent of "Its a Wonderful Life" with James Stewart, but with some different twists. Ben Walker was destined to be a simple preacher with his girlfriend Wendy. But now, years later his life has taken a 360 into a life of big business and all the luxuries & high maintenance girlfriend that comes with it. Then out of nowhere, Mike comes along and everything changes. When Ben was thrown into his What If life, I couldn't imagine how they were going to make his transformation believable. But, they did. Then I had no idea where they were going with the movie when he was told it was time to go back to his current life. They did a wonderful job. Whoever wrote this was brilliant. It was so cleaver how they put all the pieces together. Loved it !!

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.

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.