"Definitely, Maybe" movie review

Written by Sean McBride

Sunday, 17 February 2008

Looking for a fresh romantic comedy? This is definitely the film for you. “Definitely, Maybe” Universal Pictures Directed by Adam Brooks Starring Ryan Reynolds, Abigail Breslin, Isla Fisher, Elizabeth Banks, Rachel Weisz and Kevin Kline Rated PG-13   3 ½ Stars         When you see as many romantic comedies as I see, it’s easy to become immune to their charms; especially as most modern-day love stories play out on autopilot with cliché-ridden plots and performers more notable for their genetic makeup than for their acting ability. Suffice it to say that I was definitely surprised by “Definitely, Maybe,” the latest Cupid comedy which features a quintet of charismatic actors and a story that’s so unpredictable that it turns into a literal mystery. Ryan Reynolds plays the soon-to-be divorced father of young Maya (Abigail Breslin), a preteen moppet who’s charmingly precocious, and thanks to a school sex ed class, determined to hear the story about how her parents met and fell in love. Dad agrees to tell the tale, but in order to keep the events interesting, he tells his daughter the story of his three big romances. It’s Maya’s job to figure out which of the three women we meet in flashbacks would eventually turn out to be her mother. This is a set up that automatically ensures that “Definitely, Maybe” won’t be just another predictable exercise in genre romance. Not only will the love story be tempered by the foreknowledge of his divorce, but by hiding mom’s identity from Maya (and the audience) we’re left to evaluate the three romances on their own merits, rather than blindly accepting the inevitable outcome. Writer/Director Adam Brooks keeps things fresh by introducing us to three women, all of whom are charming but flawed. Elizabeth Banks, Isla Fisher and Rachel Weisz play dad’s lost loves, and each of them has a legitimate claim on his heart. I was also intrigued by the idea that dad may have had more than one great love in his life, a fabulously messy notion that grounds the story with an uncommon sense of realism. Ultimately it’s Breslin, as the daughter, who makes the biggest impression in dad’s life, and her involvement in this love story turns “Definitely, Maybe” into a bittersweet love story instead of a downer-divorce drama. The other four actors are all solid, with Reynolds in particular making a strong impression by going against his movie star status and playing a romantic lead who’s awkward and befuddled, yet completely charming. The whole movie seems to be going contra to the genre conventions, and if you’re looking for a movie that isn’t just the same old, same old, “Definitely, Maybe” is definitely the movie for you. Movie reviews by Sean, “The Movie Guy,” are published Wednesdays and Fridays in “The Port Arthur News.” He can be found weekly on KAVU-TV, KFDM-TV, and KVIC Radio. Additional reviews can be found at www.rottentomatoes.com, www.panews.com or at www.myvictoriaonline.com. Sean welcomes your comments via email at smcbride@kavutv.com.