Film review: Daniel Radcliffe's performance overshadows the story of What If

This lightweight romantic comedy tries to inject some fizz into the age-old question of whether men and women can just be friends.

Directed by Canadian Michael Dowse, the Toronto-set What If stars Daniel Radcliffe as Wallace, a medical school dropout turned technical writer who meets a cherubic animator named Chantry (Zoe Kazan) at a party.

Sparks fly between the two, but they agree to be platonic friends since she's already in a romantic relationship with Ben (Rafe Spall). But Wallace can't help falling in love with Chantry. There's so much romantic chemistry between them, you will inevitably root for this endearing underdog as he tries to entice his dream girl away from the strapping but smug lawyer who stands in his way.

Like many women in relationships, Chantry's happy to have her cake and eat it. She likes having a platonic soulmate who shares her love for fridge magnet poems and Elvis Presley's "Fool's Gold" sandwich (made with peanut butter, jam and bacon), even though she also has a dedicated beau.

Early on in the film, Chantry gives the impression that she knows that Wallace is pining for her. So it's off-putting, disappointing and very unconvincing when she acts like she's been betrayed after he tells her he has loved her from the start.

Radcliffe and Kazan's acting is much better than the storyline. But supporting characters such as Wallace's best pal Allan (Adam Driver) and his love interest, the zany Nicole (Mackenzie Davis), whose antics and banter make for hilarious viewing, help to keep the film watchable.

What If opens on January 8