If Only (2004)

85% of users liked it
(37,354 ratings)

A lonely singer/songwriter and the man of her dreams take a second shot at love after fate intervenes into their romance in a tearful tale of destiny starring Jennifer Love Hewitt and Paul Nicholls. Samantha Andrews (Hewitt) was studying classical music in London when she first met Ian Wyndham… More A lonely singer/songwriter and the man of her dreams take a second shot at love after fate intervenes into their romance in a tearful tale of destiny starring Jennifer Love Hewitt and Paul Nicholls. Samantha Andrews (Hewitt) was studying classical music in London when she first met Ian Wyndham (Nicholls), and the moment they locked eyes both new that it was love at first sight. Their storybook romance takes a turn for the tragic, however, when Samantha dies in a horrific accident shortly after the pair have their first major argument. Stricken by inconsolable grief and touched by the forgiving hand of merciful fate, Ian now has one chance to take it all back and relive that fateful days before he truly loses the love of his life once and for all. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 32 min.
Directed By: Gil Junger
Genres: Drama, Romance, Comedy

On DVD: May 9, 2006
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...touching and genuinely romantic...
Scott Weinberg, DVDTalk.com
If Only this weren't one of the sappiest, stupidest, silliest, and most vacuously meaningless romantic comedies I've ever had the misfortune to waste 96 minutes of my life upon ... I'd have some nicer things to say.
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
it's too maudlin and depressing to make for a good romantic drama and it's way too sappy to work as a drama/thriller

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Featured Audience Ratings

Dean !

A Romantic drama that seems to have been missed by most. Jennifer Love Hewitt and a few familiar English faces pop up in this. Set in London a man gets to relive a day in which things didn't work out between him and his girlfriend before she is in an accident. Will he be able to… More
A Romantic drama that seems to have been missed by most. Jennifer Love Hewitt and a few familiar English faces pop up in this. Set in London a man gets to relive a day in which things didn't work out between him and his girlfriend before she is in an accident. Will he be able to change the path of destiny and save her second time round? Quite similar but not quite as good as Sliding doors, which had the same type of plot and also set in London. If you like romantic films which deal with fate and destiny you will like this. Don't mistake it for a Rom-Com though, not much to laugh at here.
Sanjaya &

Good story.... It'll make u wanna cry watching this movie...
Mouhannad S

I saw this movie about two-three year ago and I was very impressed with the whole story. The action happened in London, UK, where the beautiful American actress Jennifer Love Hewitt interpreting Samantha Andrews was studying music. She and her British colleague Paul Nicholls… More
I saw this movie about two-three year ago and I was very impressed with the whole story. The action happened in London, UK, where the beautiful American actress Jennifer Love Hewitt interpreting Samantha Andrews was studying music. She and her British colleague Paul Nicholls interpreting Peter made a beautiful couple, but they had problems; he was somehow being inattentively with her feelings until the moment she had an accident and died. He was devastated until he got another chance. The day that she died was repeated but with differences and the most important at the end of the day he made a sacrifice and saved her, giving his live in exchange. The hole thing about getting another chance of doing something different, better is great and captivated me..
Dannielle A

I wasn't in the mood for a tear-jerker... I thought it was a romance where love conquers all. But it surprised me in a bittersweet way which makes it really good art. The movie was meaningful and told truth about life in the end rather than "everyone lives happily ever… More
I wasn't in the mood for a tear-jerker... I thought it was a romance where love conquers all. But it surprised me in a bittersweet way which makes it really good art. The movie was meaningful and told truth about life in the end rather than "everyone lives happily ever after." "If Only" stars the beautiful Jennifer Love Hewitt and was "A Walk to Remember" meets "Premonition." It was like A Walk to Remember in that it was about a man giving the one he loved everything she ever dreamed of before she passed away, including his love. It was like Premonition in that the main character knew that his beloved would die because he lived it and then the clock turned back and he had a second chance to try as hard as he could to make it NOT happen. The romantic things that the man did in the movie for his beloved just made my heart melt and gave me so many ideas in my relationship! :-) This was like the English version of the German film "Run Lola Run."
John M

"If Only" is a good,underrated,romantic story about appreciating what you have in front of you because before you know it, it's all gone. Jennifer Love Hewitt's portrayal of the dynamic, vivacious and impetuous young is very good. At the end you will get a… More
"If Only" is a good,underrated,romantic story about appreciating what you have in front of you because before you know it, it's all gone. Jennifer Love Hewitt's portrayal of the dynamic, vivacious and impetuous young is very good. At the end you will get a spiritual message that most of us forget to apply daily, "Live and love like if it were the last day of you life".
Daisy M

In IF ONLY full credit should be given to the actors for making it look like a real romantic movie. Jennifer L Hewitt was just stunning and the chemistry between her and Paul was convincing. I never knew she could sing so beautiful. There was a scene I liked so much, where Paul… More
In IF ONLY full credit should be given to the actors for making it look like a real romantic movie. Jennifer L Hewitt was just stunning and the chemistry between her and Paul was convincing. I never knew she could sing so beautiful. There was a scene I liked so much, where Paul Nicholls admitted to JLH that she taught him about love before getting into the fateful cab. Even one of such extremely romantic scenes will make any movie better even if it has some holes in it like this one. It is an nice romantic movie which can keep you busy watching. ! Not bad.
d j

I've wached "If only" several time, but it still gives me chills. It's a wonderful love story which makes you think deeply of your own life and the way you are supposed to act with the loved one's. Although it's a sad romantic film, I think it's a… More
I've wached "If only" several time, but it still gives me chills. It's a wonderful love story which makes you think deeply of your own life and the way you are supposed to act with the loved one's. Although it's a sad romantic film, I think it's a good lesson for everyone who really understand's it's message. I recommend it to everyone and I give it 10/10 because it's one of my favorites films ever !
Rose G

i didn't expect love hewitt can take on such a role, though it seemed that glimpses of the cutesy young actress still came out of her acting, i thought she did a good job on this one. the story was sad but at the same time inspiring. it is advised that you bring a hanky or a box… More
i didn't expect love hewitt can take on such a role, though it seemed that glimpses of the cutesy young actress still came out of her acting, i thought she did a good job on this one. the story was sad but at the same time inspiring. it is advised that you bring a hanky or a box of tissue with you if you would watch this.
Leo L

LOVE THIS MOVIE!!!