The F Word (What If) Movie Review - Spoiler Free

A chance encounter at the right time. Chemistry, an exchange about the meaning of life & a long discussion about the Fool’s Gold sandwich. This is the quirkiest rom-com I have seen to date!

Genre: Comedy / Romance  

Director: Michael Dowse

Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Zoe Kazan, Adam Driver, Megan Park, Rafe Spall, Mackenzie Davis, Jemima Rooper, Jordan Hayes, Lucius Hoyos & Sarah Gadon.

Run Time: 108 min.

US Release: 15 August 2014

UK Release: 20 August 2014

German Release: 09 April 2015

I am not the biggest fan of romantic comedies. There are only a handful I would consider to be good cinema; unfortunately, most of the others recycle the same formulaic love stories, with little bite or originality. However, this film managed to catch me completely off guard. The F Word, released in some countries under the title What If, and directed by Canadian filmmaker Michael Dowse, had me utterly in its grasp from early on. It is funny, engaging, and surprisingly thoughtful, meshing light-hearted humour with just the right amount of tragedy. At its core, this is a movie that analyses life, friendship, and the definition of love through the eyes of two likeable, quirky personas who feel grounded in reality.

The story follows Wallace (Daniel Radcliffe), a young man who has grown tired and emotionally drained after a string of failed relationships. Trying to find stability and some sort of meaning again, he attends a party where he meets Chantry (Zoe Kazan), a charming and quick-witted animator who instantly connects with him. The chemistry between the two is undeniable, but there’s one complication: Chantry already lives with her long-time boyfriend Ben (Rafe Spall). 

From there, the film delicately explores the thin line between friendship and romance, asking the question of what it really means when your best friend might also be the love of your life.

What truly makes The F Word stand out from most modern rom-coms is its honesty. The characters feel real, their conversations flow naturally, and their emotions seem genuine. There is a delightful rhythm to the dialogue that allows both humour and vulnerability to coexist in the same breath. Daniel Radcliffe, in his attempt to move away from his Harry Potter persona, proves once again that he is a versatile actor. His portrayal of Wallace is layered, as he balances sharp comedic timing with subtle emotional depth and shows that he can shift from awkward charm to heartbreak with ease.

Zoe Kazan’s Chantry, on the other hand, is a refreshing character in the rom-com landscape. She is whimsical and creative, but not in a forced or over-the-top way. There’s a quiet melancholy beneath her cheerfulness that makes her believable. Together, Radcliffe and Kazan share undeniable chemistry. Their developing relationship feels organic, and, most importantly, real. It’s not a fairytale romance filled with clichés but rather a reflection of how complicated love can be when timing, circumstances, and emotions come to a crash.

The supporting cast also deserves mention. Adam Driver, who plays Wallace’s outspoken best friend Allan, provides some of the film’s biggest laughs. His energy lifts the mood every time he is on screen. Likewise, Mackenzie Davis as Allan’s girlfriend, Nicole, adds warmth and authenticity to the cast, proving that even side characters can contribute to the story.

Visually, The F Word has an underrated but appealing atmosphere. The camera work is solid and at times intimate, drawing us into the characters’ small, meaningful interactions. However, the film maintains a constant greyish hue throughout, which feels slightly unnecessary and occasionally drains some of the warmth that the story naturally emits. On the other hand, the city of Toronto is beautifully captured, bright and colourful, almost becoming a character in itself; familiar, alive, and slightly imperfect, much like Wallace and Chantry’s relationship.

One of the strongest aspects of this film is its writing. The screenplay, adapted from the play “Toothpaste and Cigars” by T.J. Dawe and Michael Rinaldi, cleverly balances intellectual humour with heartfelt emotion. The conversations between Wallace and Chantry feel unforced, filled with witty banter and genuine curiosity about life, work, and love. It’s rare for a romantic comedy to feel this smart and self-aware, without coming across as pretentious or overly stylised.

Ultimately, this flick is not just a story about falling in love; it’s a reflection on connection, timing, and the courage to take the emotional risk. It doesn’t try to reinvent the genre, but it injects honesty and heart into it, which is far more rewarding. It’s an exploration of how people navigate their feelings in a world where relationships are rarely simple and happy endings are never guaranteed.

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Verdict: The F Word is a charming and heartfelt romantic comedy that rises above the clichés of the genre. It offers genuine laughs, emotional honesty, and the chemistry between Daniel Radcliffe and Zoe Kazan, which carries the film beautifully. Despite a few stylistic missteps, this picture feels refreshingly sincere and grounded. It’s perfect for a date night or a quiet evening at home. I will give The F Word a solid 7.5 out of 10.

Did you get the chance to watch The F Word (or What If) yet? If so, what did you think of it? Let me know in the comments below, and as always, thank you very much for reading!