Definitely, Maybe (2008) DVD Review

Definitely, Maybe
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Abigail Breslin, Elizabeth Banks, Isla Fischer, Rachel Weitsz
Written & Directed By: Adam Brooks
Released: 2008
Grade: B+

Definitely, Maybe is a love story wrapped in father/daughter affection. The relationship the father and daughter have all started with the mother that the father chose to spend the rest of his life with. The trick in this is figuring out who the mother was in the stories of his past loves. We are given a love mystery and along the way we learn about aspirations, growth, and second chances.

Will (Reynolds) works as an advertiser representing many different companies. It is really just a job to him and his heart isn’t really in it. His divorce with his wife has been finalized. The only thing he finds joy in is spending time with his daughter, Maya (Breslin). After having a sex education lesson in school, Maya comes home, asking her father endless questions. With the divorce of her parents, Maya begins to wonder the story of how her parents met. Will is very hesitant about this, not wanting to go in to it. They end up compromising, he tells her the story of how he met her mother, but he also includes the story of two other women, changing the names of them. If Maya wants to know the story of her parents, she will have to guess for herself which woman in her father’s tales of love is her mother.

The stories start off with Emily (Banks), Will’s college girlfriend. At this point, Will is working for the Clinton administration. He is being moved to New York for two months, hoping he will be a more direct part of the campaign. Emily worries about this, but he assures her that the time apart won’t mean anything to their relationship. When Will gets there, he is resorted to getting coffee and toilet paper for the higher ups. He desires to do more, since he truly believes in Clinton and that he will make America a better place. Meanwhile, he notices the copy machine girl, April (Fischer). She challenges his views, as she refuses to believe or stamp herself either republican or democratic. Will and April get closer and closer. However, Emily gives him a surprise visit, which causes him to propose to her. The question is whether they have been faithful enough to commit to a marriage together. After this, Will ends up having relations with Emily’s friend from college, Summer (Weitsz). It turns in to a cycle of these three women, coming in and out of Will’s life. But which one does he make his wife?

After the annoyance of Just Friends, Ryan Reynolds is redeemed here, by starring as such a charming male lead. Even in the moments where he is just with his daughter and not involved with any love interest, he still uses such dedication, which results in a display of a wonderful relationship between himself and the lovely, Abigail Breslin. She proved herself in Little Miss Sunshine and I have to say, she is what made me like No Reservations as much as I did, I am happy to see her pick better material. She is absolutely adorable as Maya and shows such personality, liveliness, and curiosity. Elizabeth Banks does well as Emily, the college girlfriend. There is a large sense of warmth and purity to her that makes her seem like the type of girl who would be there until the end. Isla Fischer gave one of the best performances in the film. As usual, she is absolutely electrifying. She is unique, spunky, a free thinker, independent, and isn’t afraid to live for herself and all of the joys she sees in life. It was truly a treat just to watch her on screen. Rachel Weitsz did well, but her character did seem a little dull, mostly just in comparison to the lively performances that surrounded her in the film.

I really liked that they went in to Will’s ambitions, desires, and goals. It makes this more than a love story, but a display of growth and understanding. Also, we are able to get to know and therefore feel for Will even more. He has a real passion for politics and drastically cares about the future of the country, as he is eager to fight for it. Will wants to have a purpose and to make an impact in any way that he can. An interesting thing about the love stories, is that they all seems to be on a cycle, each girl coming in and out of his life and than coming back again. This constantly keeps the audience guessing and shows that there is something in all of them that has Will so torn. With three romantic interests the film and even Will manage to stay classy rather than being degraded to cheap laughs at the expense of making Will seem like a careless cheater. He has a pure heart and this is just his journey to find the heart that matches his. I also liked the How I Met Your Mother theme of “a love story in reverse”, being told to the daughter. It shaped an understanding and stronger bond between the two as well as serving as a lesson to Maya about what to expect and desire when she begins to date one day. The ending was perfect, as it satisfied several characters desires in more ways then just one. After all of this background, that seems like it is just background and nothing else, it was exciting and invigorating to see how perfectly things fell in to place. This being said, it wasn’t a typical happily ever after ending. It was very realistic, yet hopeful at the same time.