WHAT IF...

What If you walked away from the life you imagined to pursue a lucrative business opportunity?  Years later you might find yourself rich and powerful with a corner office in a shiny big-city highrise and women falling at your feet, but part of you would still wonder...what if?  "What if I'd married my sweetheart and built the life we planned?  Would I somehow be happier and more satisfied?"

 

Ben Walker (Kevin Sorbo) faces this question in the aptly titled What If...  After years of working as a successful executive, Ben collides with his past when he receives word that the true love of his youth, Wendy (Kristy Swanson), will be passing through town and would like to say hi.  Convinced that he's moved onward and upward, Ben carries on with his day, hopping into his new Mercedes and putting the accelerator to the floor.  The car mysteriously breaks down, and Ben is aided by a tow truck driver named Mike (John Ratzenberger)...who also happens to be an angel...who also happens to have the power to show Ben what his life might have been like if he'd stuck with Plan A. 

 

Without warning, Ben is dropped into a life of domesticity.  He's married to Wendy, has two daughters, and serves as pastor to the town.  It's fine, in its way, but it's certainly small potatoes compared to the life he's used to.  Comedy ensues as Ben bungles his way through the next few days, pretending he has some inkling as to how to be a husband, father, and pastor.  Kevin Sorbo is well cast as this fish out of water, and his wry humor keeps the movie from being cloying or heavy-handed.  As much as Ben wants to make fun of this traditional way of life, he has to admit that it's fulfilling in ways he hadn't anticipated.

 

Thankfully, by the end of the film, Ben Walker is able to make things right and embrace the life he was meant to lead. It's a morality tale as much as it is a lesson in learning to follow your heart, and while it's Christian-oriented and family-friendly, it's mainstream enough to be enjoyed by more cynical audiences.  No matter what your religious or social views may be, What If... is a fair question to ponder.

 

DVD NOTES

Extra features include audio commentary, a behind the scenes featurette, and trailers.