Definitely, Maybe (2008)

Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

The joyful confection is coated in a sparkly gloss, bright enough to gleam from the darkest, most cynical corners.

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

what a terribly boring film. I'm sorry but this is absolutely not deserving of best picture and will be forgotten quickly. Entertaining and engaging cinema? No. Nothing performances with flat faces and mistaking silence for subtlety.

Reynolds is a political consultant, the set up to this is that he is in the process of being divorced and he tells his daughter a story. In the story he is involved, to some degree or other, with three different girls. He changes the names of the girls so his daughter can't tell and then runs her through his love life over several years. Daughter has to guess which one he ended up with (along with us in the audience). The premise is kind of cute if a tad implausible (you would think daughter would be able to pick out her mom from the facts), but as it is this is more light comedy than drama and the wrap up is satisfying, if again a tad implausible. I'm usually there for Rachel Weisz but she didn't do too much for me in this one, while Isla Fisher did just fine.

I had no expectations with this movie at all. I thought this was just your typical cheesy finding-the-right-one movie but it wasn't. Definitely, maybe, you could say truly a 'maybe' story because of the complexities of the protagonist's love life along with his ever inquisitive daughter brought mainly by the influences from school. At first, you could see a father whose intention was to answer the question of his daughter regarding her mother's identity through a fairy tale-like manner just to be apt, mysterious and enticing for her. Along the series of story-telling, you would say that it was certainly Emily but after a moment, you got confused because of another tie with some other significant girls. With that sense, the delivery was just so clever that you would be dragged and forced to finish the movie with satisfaction of the pacing.As for the romance side, it was reasonable. Will was just a guy capable of being hurt and moving on; that it's hard to get into another relationship when you still have lingering feelings with the break- up but you need to move on for the sake of your own happiness. He has reasons why he ended with multiple girls. The women involved had their own aspects that you could love and hate as viewer. Much to say, the run or building up of the romance was so realistic and frank. Nevertheless, he truly ended up with the right one.Also, the political side added some wittiness among the colloquialism of the characters.I couldn't say in detail the entirety of the movie but it is definitely a recommended movie. You will love, laugh, be warmed, confused, hurt and satisfied with the conveyance of the story. So, see it for yourself.

The set-up for this film is that a father is divorcing and his daughter, Maya, is asking him about how he met her mother. The guy then talks about a variety of women he dated and slept with as the child makes occasional commentary to interrupt the story. Some of her clever and charming remarks are calling one lady a B$%&@ and later, her father a slut. Later, when you learn which one of them is her mother, she announces that she 'just learned all about sexual intercourse in school'. Later, the child gives her now to be divorced father dating advice. Charming....NOT!I did not like this film, though the acting was very, very nice. As a retired psychotherapist, I thought that the boundaries between the child (who seemed way too old for her years) and her father were blurred. The adult here was not him, that's for sure. Additionally, there are a lot of political elements in the film (because he's a political operative)--not a bad thing in a drama, but not exactly something I want to see in a romantic film. Nothing destroys romance like politics!!Overall, I'd say 'nice try but no cigar'. This is a film that too flawed to be worth rushing out to see. It's strange father-daughter situation aside, the story just seemed way too with-it and hip in its parenting style for my tastes. To me, romance should be romantic...and this really wasn't. Additionally, the child seemed like a child as written by someone who's never even seen a child or talked with one! The DVD for "Definitely, Maybe" starts off very badly--and this might only be with the Netflix version. It forces you to watch a LONG preview for "Mama Mia!"--whether you want to or not. I dunno about you, but this definitely makes me MUCH more inclined NEVER to watch a film they force you to preview...never.

Definitely, Maybe (2008): Dir: Adam Brooks / Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Rachel Weisz, Elizabeth Banks, Isla Fisher, Abigail Breslin: Romantic comedy about decisions within relationships. Ryan Reynolds plays a single father who tells his daughter about the identity of her mother. He tells of college girlfriend played by Elizabeth Banks who chooses not to join him in New York. Rachel Weisz plays Banks's former roommate who is currently rooming with an author. Isla Fisher plays a copy girl whom he meets at his campaign headquarters. Director Adam Brooks is backed by a clever ending despite having a formula structure but perhaps the film's best asset is the mystery upon who the target female is. Brooks skillfully makes all parties appear to be possible mothers. Reynolds plays off a loving father who has been in a few relationships yet his daughter currently remains his top priority. All three female leads bring identifiable persona to the material. Banks brings the excitement of college free spirit. Weisz provides the promise of continual love. Isla Fisher is the potential for opportunity and possible future. All three present different mood all the while being the perpetrator to which the mystery is based. Finally there is Abigail Breslin as the daughter curious as to where she came from and who is partially responsible. Otherwise it definitely displays the venture to love. Score: 9 / 10