4/5 "If Only" It Could Be Released In U.S. Theatres
  by R.C.G. (Redondo Beach)
I am a big fan of Jennifer Love Hewitt's, but even I can recognize that most of her roles have been one dimensional. The teen in distress chased by a lunatic, the teen in distress attending a party, the young woman in distress over her con-artist mother. Most of her roles require very little acting ability. Finally, If Only comes along, a movie which she financed and produced through her Love Spell Entertainment Company.
The story is about a young woman named Samantha who is seriously neglected by her boyfriend Ian. After arguing, and breaking up, a tragedy occurs and there is loss for one of the characters. Fortunately, this being a fantasy-romantic drama, the couple get to relive their day all over again.
If you lost someone and had the opportunity to go back and do things differently, what would you change? That is the question that this film asks, and ultimately it proves that Love never dies. If Only Love Hewitt was given more opportunities to shine. Watch for this movie coming to ABC Family Channel in January 2006, and to DVD shortly after. If you like romantic movies like the far superior Love Story, you won't be disappointed.

4/5 Excellent made-for-TV movie for a Sunday afternoon!
  by randomartco (Greater Washington D.C. area)
First I must say, this is not quite your typical made-for-tv movie: it didn't feel like it was made low-budget & I thought the cast did very well. I saw a preview for this on TV one day, & set my Tivo to record it: I was so glad I did! The storyline was well-written, & just when I thought I had figured out the movie & knew the ending, I was wrong: it kept me guessing the entire time!

It was heartfelt, moving & even funny: but definitely bring a box of tissues when you watch this one, as it is a bit of a tear-jerker as well. I was expecting them to follow the atypical sappy romance formula, without much originality (a type of movie I happen to love anyways), but I was pleasantly surprised by this movie in: the script, the cast & the quality.

All in all, I would highly recommend this to anyone who is a romantic at heart!

4/5 Instant Replay ... of Sorts
  by Grady Harp (Los Angeles, CA United States)
Christina Welsh has written a fine screenplay that proves that old ideas can be re-worked in a thoroughly original way. Gil Junger steps out of his role as a director for TV series and molds Welsh's story into a visually charming and sensible, touching movie. Add the considerable talents of one highly regarded pro (Tom Wilkinson) and two underrated young bright lights (Jennifer Love Hewitt and Paul Nicholls) and the result is a little film that is polished, absorbing, and genuinely tender.

Samantha (Hewitt) is a musician living and studying in London where she is in a healthy relationship with a handsome young executive Ian (Nicholls): though obviously in love, Ian is more involved with his work than Samantha would like and on the day of her 'finals concert' they have a spat over several issues. On his way to his all-important meeting Ian encounters a taxi driver (Wilkinson) who gives him some sage advice about his love life. Abruptly Samantha is killed in a freak auto accident and Ian is devastated. In his grief he strangely awakens to the same day in which Samantha was killed, and through a series of working through the elements of his life where he failed her (with a bit of aid from the taxi driver), Ian has an 'If only' experience, a time to re-evaluate his love for Samantha, his life, and his changes. A twist in the events brings the story to a surprise but apropos ending.

From what could have been yet another love-death tearjerker of a Hollywood movie emerges a story with heart and with some poignant lessons for us all. Hewitt proves a fine actress in this film and is beautifully paired by the exciting presence of relative newcomer Paul Nichols. It is not a great movie, but it is one that will pleasantly surprise viewers who may have though it was just another 'chick flick'. Give it a chance - it is worth it! Grady Harp, May 06

4/5 Surprisingly entertaining
  by Peg (Southern CA)
I found this movie while channel surfing. I like JLH in Ghost Whisperer, so I stopped and started watching just where he find out he has another chance. I tivo'd it and I'm glad I did. It was just a lovely, sappy story that kept me company folding laundry on a snowy Saturday afternoon. I liked it a lot. I really liked that he learned and grew from the experience even if it last that long. The biggest surprise for me was that Jen can sing! I guess I'm dating myself by saying that I didn't know that. She's good, the music was good and I am going to go in search of the soundtrack. Enjoy!!!

4/5 Very creative and intriguing, sappy and fun
  by O. Brown (Twopeas, WA)
****
How can a movie be so creative and enjoyable, make you think, entertain you, keep you in suspense, make you cry, make you cringe at its sappiness and maudlin acting---do all of these things at the same time? That's "If Only". It is a love story, and sort of a psychological thriller, based on an interesting idea: what if we could live our lives over again...and change the outcome...or could we change the outcome? Without spoiling the plot, there's not a lot more I can say about that.

It's a movie about the importance and impact of love, what it means to truly care about another person, how differently we might think about those we love if we were to be on the verge of losing them, and much more. The value in this film is in its creativity and in how it makes you think.

On the negative side, the acting is not great...it highlights Jennifer Love Hewitt's singing way too much...it is obviously a lower-budget more B-grade type movie...it is maudlin...still these negatives don't ruin all of the positives. It is a meaningful movie, not just entertaining, and as I said before, will definitely make you think about your life and how you are living it---relatively few movies do this as well. Maybe someone will take the idea behind this movie and redo it with great acting and writing---then it would be absolutely incredible!

I think you'll be glad you watched it, and if you have friends or a date to talk it over with afterwards, you'll have some really provocative discussions.
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