Rated PG-13 for sexual content, including some frank dialogue, language and smoking.
112 Minutes
Directed and Written By: Adam Brooks
I had two serious girlfriends… and then some other smattering of other women. -Will Hayes
Synopsis
A young girls parents are getting divorced and she doesn’t comprehend why. In a desperate attempt to explain exactly how complex relationships and love truly are, and how timing is everything, her father tells her the story of how he met her mother without letting his daughter know which woman in the story was her mother. The “love mystery” begins.
Review
It was a breath of fresh air to watch a film about relationships and life that wasn’t all about corny predictably romantic beats and happy endings. It was a realistic journey threw the eyes of a man who’s life had changed drastically from his hopes and dreams leaving college with a collage of failed relationships. His divorce and his daughter caught in the middle is the driving force for this reflective peek into what once was and what was lost over the years. While some of memories are borderline dark and depressing the story itself manages to keep an upbeat positive feel that often offers a good chuckle in between romance and heartbreaks, without being awkward or forced, like a lot of films in this genre.
Another aspect of this story and characterizations that stood apart from movies of this kind was the main male role wasn’t emasculated into some wimpy guy searching for his feelings. His most gut wrenching moments had more to do with his relationship with his daughter than anything. It was touching in a way that was authentic and genuine.
It was also touched on, though not thoroughly explored, the dreams when you are young, of what you think life will be like, and how not just romance, but how work, politics’s, other choices change your point of view on life with time. Life and it’s disappoints turns people into cynics and often inspires us to travel down paths we had never imagined traveling down, but what Definitely, Maybe offers is the idea that not all dreams have to be lost, even after life has changed drastically. It’s never too late to try.
Cast
- Ryan Reynolds as William Hayes
- Abigail Breslin as Maya Hayes
- Elizabeth Banks as Emily
- Rachel Weisz as Summer Hartley
- Kevin Kline as Hampton Roth
- Isla Fisher as April Hoffman
In spite of myself I am really beginning to enjoy Ryan Reynolds and appreciate the fact that he isn’t just a pretty face, though his face is exquisite. He seems to get a real feel for his roles and bring them to life. His interpretation of William Hayes is no exception. His charisma and the inert sweetness, yet still masculine man trying to explain love and heartbreak to his young daughter was both believable and entertaining. The supporting ladies were all fantastic, though Elizabeth Banks felt a little dry at times, they pulled his love interests off very well. Kevin Kline played a small role but it was one of the shining moments of the film. His enigmatic portrayal of Hampton Roth, the drunk intellect, was provocative and humorous.
Ratings And Suggestions
I am not a fan of the kind of movie people refer to as “chick flicks”, and though Definitely, Maybe has the qualities to suffer that pigeon holing it is truly something more. It is a movie about relationships and what happens after those happily ever after kisses at the end of romance movies. It was enjoyable to see someone take a realistic perspective on a topic rarely addressed in theaters today and turn it into a movie that was delightful in it’s honesty, but also offering a sweet love story in the middle. I recommend this movie to anyone who has been in a relationship, been in love, or had their heartbroken. It will bring tears to your eyes at moments and it will also make you laugh. This was a wonderful surprise. 3.5 out of 4 stars.
I loved this movie. Ryan Reynolds was fantastic in it. He’s a great actor. Match Point is another excellent movie.
After reading your review on this movie I really want to see it!!!
i very very like this movie.The story is exelent…great…
i love ryan reynolds in just friends and van wilder so i new the movie was going to be realy good but the onlybad thing about it was that they did put Abigail Breslin wasnt in it enought xxx
Rachel Weisz have that mysterious look and she is very appealing to most men and women ;`;