What If...

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.

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.

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 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 !!

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.