E se... fosse andata diversamente?

I could not believe how much this story is a Xerox copy of the Family Man with Nicholas Cage and Tea Leone. The only difference is the story puts God in the story. You might think that the theme is It's a wonderful Life, but once you see Family Man. This movie is the Nicholas Cage story. Maybe the Family Man took the theme of It's a Wonderful Life, but What if...? copied Family Man. I fell in love with this movie when I first saw it. I read here on IMDB that it seemed like it was a combination of It's a Wonderful Life and Family Man. I rented the Family Man movie. It is so similar that it's scary. I highly recommend the movie but the storyline is Family Man. They just added God and put an angel in the story. I would recommend see this and Family Man and you decide.

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.

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 !!

Went into to this movie expecting a Hallmark Channel story. Left with a lasting impression and a renewed belief that the power of God is alive and well. Excellent story. Excellent acting. Bravo!