Daniel Radcliffe–life after Harry Potter

KAZAN AND RADCLIFFE. Portray star-crossed lovers in “What If.”

Daniel Radcliffe’s relentless pursuit for self-reinvention takes a refreshingly comedic turn in Michael Dowse’s predictable but heart-warming romantic comedy, “What If.” The former child actor portrays Wallace, who’s still nursing a broken heart one year after the end of his relationship.

But, the med school dropout forms an immediate bond with animator Chantry (Zoe Kazan) the first time they meet.

She shares the same sense of humor and seems to reciprocate his feelings. Problem is, she’s already in a long-term but shaky relationship with man-about-town, Ben (Rafe Spall), who notices the sparks that fly between Wallace and Chantry! Is Wallace setting himself up for another heartbreak—or is Chantry his second shot at love?

In terms of storytelling, the movie doesn’t really break new ground, but it should be seen for the quirky characterizations turned in by its adorable lead and supporting characters. Radcliffe may not have the dashing swagger of most rom-com consorts, but his honest and immersive approach to characterization sees him through. Kazan isn’t bad, either—she is as sensitive as she is charming.

Daring roles    

We’ve long been impressed with Radcliffe’s unconventional choices in roles onscreen and onstage. Critics raved about his provocative turn as poet Allen Ginsberg in John Krokidas’ “Kill Your Darlings”—about the early members of the  Beat Generation (Ginsberg, Lucien Carr, William S. Burroughs,  Jack Kerouac  and  David Kammerer), and the killing in Riverside Park.

In Alexandre Aja’s “Horns,” the British actor is cast as a man who grows horns after the mysterious death of his girlfriend! In Paul McGuigan’s “Frankenstein,” he plays Igor opposite James McAvoy’s Victor von Frankenstein. Next, he will share the screen with some of Tinseltown’s most exciting actors—Brie Larson, Tilda Swinton, Marisa Tomei, Barkhas Abdi and even Lebron James—in Judd Apatow’s anticipated ensemble comedy, “Trainwreck.”

His stage roles are even more daring—and just as celebrated: He did the full monty in the psychological drama, “Equus”; sang and danced as an ambitious windowwasher in Frank Loesser’s adaptation of Shepherd Mead’s book, “How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying,” and portrayed a crippled orphan who vies for a role in a Hollywood documentary in Martin McDonagh’s dark comedy, “The Cripple of Inishmaan.” Would that other young actors could be as daring!

Radcliffe certainly knows how to keep himself relevant. Recently, he was asked if he was willing to reunite with Rupert Grint and Emma Watson. He quickly said yes, and even suggested a musical they could star in: Stephen Sondheim’s “Merrily We Roll Along.” If that ever comes to pass, it would be nothing short of, well, magical!