Definitely, Maybe

Written & Directed by: Adam Brooks

Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Abigail Breslin, Elizabeth Banks, Isla Fisher, Rachel Weisz, Kevin Kline

Movie Rating: 2

Film Rating: 3

In so many ways I should not like Ryan Reynolds. Yet here I am, movie after movie, liking the guy. Even though he basically plays various versions of himself, there is something kind of likeable about him. And that was kind of how I felt about this movie: I shouldn’t like it, but the people in it are just so darn likeable.

Pre-show: After passing some random scantily clad girls in the hallway promoting the release of “10,000 B.C.” I was beginning to wonder if I had missed my theatre. Noting that “Rambo” was playing next door to the ladies, I followed the small groups of middle aged woman and sure enough, found the right theatre. I knew the work week had taken its toll on me, but much like Homer Simpson’s loss of doorbell recognition, I apparently lost the knowledge of how to navigate a multiplex at some point this week. Safely settled alone in a seat between two snuggly couples, I was ready for the Valentine’s Day movie of the week.

Movie: “Definitely, Maybe” is the story of Will Hayes (Ryan Reynolds) who is about to sign his divorce papers and who must relive his romantic life at his daughter’s insistence. Since Will adores his daughter Maya (Abigail Breslin) and because she refuses to let it go, Will agrees to tell her the story of his romantic history. However, much like “Dragnet” the names have been changed to protect the innocent. The innocent being the ears of a child in this instance. The flashbacks are punctuated with moments in the present where Maya quizzes her father for answers and tries to figure out which woman in the story is her real life mother. It actually flows rather smoothly, if predictably.

The best part about the movie by a mile is the cast. The characters are nothing truly spectacular but the cast brings such a sweetness and charm that it was hard not to enjoy the movie on some level. Will seems to have a nice chemistry with all the women, but it is precisely that chemistry that telegraphs how each woman will actually fit into his life in the present. Though predictable, it never really felt all that hokey.

Though the story moves along nicely and is never too overly sentimental, that is not to say that it was really well written. The dialogue was rarely memorable and the story went on longer than it should have. However, the script definitely gets points for realism, flow, and interest. I think if there had been any other cast in the roles that this movie would have been a much tougher sale on the script and story alone. The actors make the scenes and they make the movie.

Isla Fisher is just lovely here. At times her character borders on annoying but it is Fisher that makes the character so sweet and likeable despite her quirks. The same can be said about an animated Rachel Weisz and a subdued Elizabeth Banks. Reynolds makes a believable father, although not necessarily of Breslin. Still, Reynolds clearly has a nice bond with the actress and it shows on screen. My favorite role was probably that of Kevin Kline as Hampton Roth. Of course when Kline is in a movie, it is hard for him to not be one’s favorite. On paper the character is a bit over the top, but Kline seems to ground him and make him interesting.

Although this movie was kind of mediocre, it still held my interest for most of the show, and I found that I actually really enjoyed the evening. If for no other reason than it made me nostalgic for New York City. When you live in a city like New York, you are living so close to other people that there is a kind of forced kinship. It is rare in movies to see that kinship and sort of nice side to New York. I’m not saying it is a happy go lucky town, but not everybody starts the day off at the bagel shop there hearing, “You want lox on that? No? Well fuck you!” In this movie there seemed to be a little bit more of a realistic portrayal of what it is like to live in New York. I mean, for a movie. Anyway, I kind of dug that. It made me homesick for the East Coast.

Overall this movie was actually rather pleasant. It appears to be a comedy in the trailers, but do not let that fool you. This is more of a drama than anything. It is a sweet love story told without a lot of bells and whistles, without a lot of swelling music, and without a lot of overly romantic gestures and speeches. Well, the last bit was kept to a minimum at least. For someone like me who seems to have an allergy to schmaltz, that was a nice surprise. Maybe not a theatre kind of pick, but I would definitely recommend it for DVD or cable.