‘Definitely, Maybe’ May Be More than you Bargained For
-----‘Definitely, Maybe’ set out to ride the charm of Ryan Reynolds in this fairly original and often cynical chick flick. Reynolds' attitude is fun, and the ladies certainly do their part, but something feels a little too real for me. Overall, despite the roller coaster of emotions this film tries to capture, it is genuine enough to warrant seeing, and women should especially take to its goodhearted nature and underlying morals.
-----Upon the recent divorce of her parents, the young Maya Hayes (Abigail Breslin) inquires about how her father met her mother for a bedtime story. Her father Will (Ryan Reynolds) tells not of the one woman who he’s currently divorcing, but of three women, names changed for his story to make her mother a mystery. Throughout the story, Maya finds out about original flame Emily (Elizabeth Banks), bold and fun April (Isla Fisher), and mysterious eccentric Summer (Rachel Weisz).
-----Ryan Reynolds is a saving grace in this movie that takes place primarily in the 90s. His humor and effective acting make this film bearable and fun in many places. Elizabeth Banks, Isla Fisher, and Rachel Weisz all play the type of role we’ve seen them in before. And with three characters that mirror these roles, why not? There’s a certain authenticity and x-factor to each of their characters, and you’ll probably have a pretty good time guessing which one Reynolds character ends up with…and then divorces in the present day. It’s this bit of reality that makes this film a little different, for better or worse, than its rom-com peers.
-----The film relies mostly on character interactions, so there isn’t much to say from a technical standpoint. The music works well within the mood of the film, but the only real intricacy comes form the costume department. Needing to provide that early 90s feel without becoming overly noticeable, the film does succeed in showing the subtle differences of the 90s. Not to mention some fun moments during Clinton’s turn in office (Reynolds playing an active Democrat for most of the film) involving a certain presidential goof-up moment involving “sexual affairs.”
-----When all is said and done, the movie is one of the more sobering romantic comedies you’ll see. However, it’s also one of the more substantial films of its genre. Not anything you’ll need to see twice, but agreeably entertaining during the first viewing, ‘Definitely, Maybe’ takes Reynolds for all he’s worth and even has some interesting themes about real world love and relationships. It’s not great, but it is a passable one-time see.
