What If... (film)
Encyclopedia
What If... is a 2010 Christian/drama film directed by Dallas Jenkins. It stars Kevin Sorbo
, Kristy Swanson
, Debby Ryan
and Pixar
's John Ratzenberger
. The film was released to theaters on August 20, 2010. It is the first film in a two-movie partnership between Jenkins Entertainment and Pure Flix Entertainment
.
) decided to leave his college sweetheart Wendy (Kristy Swanson
), and ultimately his faith, in order to pursue a lucrative business opportunity (graduating top of his class from Harvard Business School
instead of receiving a doctorate in Theology
with a minor in Biblical Archaeology
). Now on the verge of marriage to an equally materialistic fiancée, he is visited by an angelic mechanic (John Ratzenberger
), who tells him that he needs to see what his life would have been like had he followed God’s calling. Suddenly, Ben finds himself married to Wendy with two daughters - rebellious teen Kimberly (Debby Ryan
), and Kimberly's little sister, Megan (portrayed by newcomer Taylor Groothuis) - getting ready for church on a Sunday morning, where he’s scheduled to give his first sermon as the new pastor.
If Ben wants to get back to his old life, he must first learn to appreciate the value of faith and family, and perhaps rediscover the love of his life. In the tradition of It's a Wonderful Life
and The Family Man
, What If... tells the story of a man whose glimpse into what he’s missing reminds him of what he truly wants.
, with some filming done in Grand Rapids, Michigan
. Jenkins Entertainment is owned by Jerry B. Jenkins
and operated by his son Dallas Jenkins. Jerry will serve as executive producer and Dallas will direct both films. Pure Flix Entertainment will produce and supervise marketing and distribution for the films.
and his wife, gave the film a standing ovation
.
Kevin Sorbo
Kevin David Sorbo is an American actor best known for the roles of Hercules in Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, Captain Dylan Hunt in Andromeda and Kull in Kull the Conqueror.-Early life:...
, Kristy Swanson
Kristy Swanson
Kristen Nöel "Kristy" Swanson is an American actress best known for playing Buffy in the 1992 film Buffy the Vampire Slayer, she also played Catherine "Cathy" Dollanganger in the movie version of the V.C...
, Debby Ryan
Debby Ryan
Deborah "Debby" Ryan is an American actress and singer. Ryan is best known for starring as Bailey Pickett in the Disney Channel Original Series The Suite Life on Deck. The Suite Life on Deck became the most watched children's show on television...
and Pixar
Pixar
Pixar Animation Studios, pronounced , is an American computer animation film studio based in Emeryville, California. The studio has earned 26 Academy Awards, seven Golden Globes, and three Grammy Awards, among many other awards and acknowledgments. Its films have made over $6.3 billion worldwide...
's John Ratzenberger
John Ratzenberger
John Deszo Ratzenberger is an American actor, voice actor, and entrepreneur. He is best known for his role as Cliff Clavin in Cheers.-Early life:...
. The film was released to theaters on August 20, 2010. It is the first film in a two-movie partnership between Jenkins Entertainment and Pure Flix Entertainment
Pure Flix Entertainment
Pure Flix Entertainment is a Christian film production company, headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona. The company produces, distributes, acquires and markets Christian and family-friendly films...
.
Plot
Fifteen years ago, Ben Walker (Kevin SorboKevin Sorbo
Kevin David Sorbo is an American actor best known for the roles of Hercules in Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, Captain Dylan Hunt in Andromeda and Kull in Kull the Conqueror.-Early life:...
) decided to leave his college sweetheart Wendy (Kristy Swanson
Kristy Swanson
Kristen Nöel "Kristy" Swanson is an American actress best known for playing Buffy in the 1992 film Buffy the Vampire Slayer, she also played Catherine "Cathy" Dollanganger in the movie version of the V.C...
), and ultimately his faith, in order to pursue a lucrative business opportunity (graduating top of his class from Harvard Business School
Harvard Business School
Harvard Business School is the graduate business school of Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts, United States and is widely recognized as one of the top business schools in the world. The school offers the world's largest full-time MBA program, doctoral programs, and many executive...
instead of receiving a doctorate in Theology
THD
THD may refer to:* That Handsome Devil, an American alternative rock band* Total harmonic distortion, a measure of the distortion of an audio signal* Total Hi Def , an optical disc format* Th.D. or D.Th...
with a minor in Biblical Archaeology
Biblical archaeology
For the movement associated with William F. Albright and also known as biblical archaeology, see Biblical archaeology school. For the interpretation of biblical archaeology in relation to biblical historicity, see The Bible and history....
). Now on the verge of marriage to an equally materialistic fiancée, he is visited by an angelic mechanic (John Ratzenberger
John Ratzenberger
John Deszo Ratzenberger is an American actor, voice actor, and entrepreneur. He is best known for his role as Cliff Clavin in Cheers.-Early life:...
), who tells him that he needs to see what his life would have been like had he followed God’s calling. Suddenly, Ben finds himself married to Wendy with two daughters - rebellious teen Kimberly (Debby Ryan
Debby Ryan
Deborah "Debby" Ryan is an American actress and singer. Ryan is best known for starring as Bailey Pickett in the Disney Channel Original Series The Suite Life on Deck. The Suite Life on Deck became the most watched children's show on television...
), and Kimberly's little sister, Megan (portrayed by newcomer Taylor Groothuis) - getting ready for church on a Sunday morning, where he’s scheduled to give his first sermon as the new pastor.
If Ben wants to get back to his old life, he must first learn to appreciate the value of faith and family, and perhaps rediscover the love of his life. In the tradition of It's a Wonderful Life
It's a Wonderful Life
It's a Wonderful Life is a 1946 American Christmas drama film produced and directed by Frank Capra and based on the short story "The Greatest Gift" written by Philip Van Doren Stern....
and The Family Man
The Family Man
The Family Man is a 2000 drama film directed by Brett Ratner and starring Nicolas Cage and Téa Leoni. Cage's production company, Saturn Films, helped produce the film....
, What If... tells the story of a man whose glimpse into what he’s missing reminds him of what he truly wants.
Production
What If... was filmed June 28–July 14, 2009, mostly in Manistee, MichiganManistee, Michigan
Manistee is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 6,586. It is the county seat of Manistee County. The name "Manistee" is from an Ojibwe word first applied to the principal river of the county. The derivation is not certain, but it may be from...
, with some filming done in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The city is located on the Grand River about 40 miles east of Lake Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 188,040. In 2010, the Grand Rapids metropolitan area had a population of 774,160 and a combined statistical area, Grand...
. Jenkins Entertainment is owned by Jerry B. Jenkins
Jerry B. Jenkins
Jerry Bruce Jenkins is an American novelist and biographer. He is best known as co-author of the Left Behind series of books with Tim LaHaye, Jenkins has written over 150 books, including romance novels, mysteries, and children's adventures, as well as non-fiction...
and operated by his son Dallas Jenkins. Jerry will serve as executive producer and Dallas will direct both films. Pure Flix Entertainment will produce and supervise marketing and distribution for the films.
Release
What If... was screened at the Christian Writer's Guild conference in Denver, Colorado. The audience, which included Jerry B. JenkinsJerry B. Jenkins
Jerry Bruce Jenkins is an American novelist and biographer. He is best known as co-author of the Left Behind series of books with Tim LaHaye, Jenkins has written over 150 books, including romance novels, mysteries, and children's adventures, as well as non-fiction...
and his wife, gave the film a standing ovation
Standing ovation
A standing ovation is a form of applause where members of a seated audience stand up while applauding after extraordinary performances of particularly high acclaim...
.