Definitely, Maybe

Definitely, Maybe was advertised as a romantic comedy. If that is what the filmmakers set out to make, they failed. It's slightly lacking in romance, and quite short on laughter. That's not an insult. This is a decent film that fell victim to false advertising. Definitely, Maybe is an enjoyable, although mostly forgettable, film that wouldn't have stayed afloat if it hadn't been for a couple of small twists and some very talented female actors.

Definitely, Maybe stars Ryan Reynolds, known more for being Scarlett Johansson's new husband than for his acting career. Reynolds plays Will, the soon-to-be-divorced father of Maya, played by Abigail Breslin. During father/daughter bonding time, Maya asks Will to share the story of his relationship with her mother. He agrees, but there's a twist. He will tell Maya the story, but he will tell it along with the story of the two other major romantic relationships in his life. He changes the names of the women, and says he won't tell her which woman is really her mother. His three loves are played by actresses whose stars are rising, and deservedly so. Next big thing Elizabeth Banks as Emily, the girl he left behind when he moved to New York City; Rachel Weisz (an Oscar winner for A Constant Gardener, who has balanced between blockbusters like The Mummy and small respectable films), as the independent and smart Summer; Isla Fisher as April, the passionate and opinionated girl he meets while working for Bill Clinton's campaign. Naturally, at the end of the movie, we find out who Maya's mom really is. And naturally, there's a happy ending, but it's not necessarily the happy ending you expect.

One thing that slightly elevates this film above the typical romance schmaltz is the twist. It's a little corny, but it's also a little bit fun. I found myself actually interested in finding out which woman he married and fathered a child with, even if it didn't work out so well. As for the performances, I like Ryan Reynolds, but he's not an actor whose work I seek out. He's simply adequate. Abigail Breslin, who was one of the youngest Academy Award nominees ever for the clever Little Miss Sunshine, is a little too precocious for my tastes in this movie. There's nothing in this film reminiscent of her pageant routine performed to "Super Freak." I think that even the most talented child actors need good direction, and director Adam Brooks just doesn't have the necessary experience.

Actresses like the trio who play Will's past loves can overcome poor direction. Elizabeth Banks is strong in her few scenes. Rachel Weisz is a consistently solid performer. Isla Fisher is the one to watch. Known for her scene-stealing turn in The Wedding Crashers as the over the top sister-of-the-bride who stalks Vince Vaughn, she is subdued and lovable in this film. All of the actresses are good, but Isla Fisher is the one who deserves a break out starring role. But all three performances add depth to characters who could have easily been one-note.

An interesting sidenote about this movie is that it is one of the few movies that capitalizes on early 90's nostalgia. I know it wasn't all that long ago, but it's just now starting to appear on film. So many of the events in the movie revolve around Bill Clinton's time in the Oval Office. It's not key to the story, although Will's involvement in politics is key to his character. The political climate of the early 90's and the music of the era, including "Come As You Are" by Nirvana, play into the movie.

I personally am not a fan of romance on film. My tastes run towards the gritty world of Tarantino, and if I am going to go for romance, it has to be the classics. Nothing compares to The Philadelphia Story or Bringing Up Baby when it comes to romance. I never go into a love story with high expectations. The classics of the genre are arguably hard to beat. Therefore, I kind of liked Definitely, Maybe. It was not groundbreaking. It wasn't particularly funny, nor was there a whole lot of romance. I guess that may have been part of what I liked. Even though it ended on a happy note, it was an unexpected happy ending. I like it when a film does something even a little bit unexpected, especially in a genre of film that is filled with cookie cutter copycats. So, do I recommend this movie? Ugh...maybe. Do the women carry the film? Definitely.