Definitely, Maybe

It’s been a long time since I’ve seen an all-out chick flick. Maybe years. I have seen ones that have been aimed at mostly female audiences like Atonement and Hairspray but not a pithy romantic comedy like Definitely, Maybe. So what made me turn to this film? First, the films I was anticipating this spring have come up with the worst ratings ever. Be Kind, Rewind, Semi-Pro and Vantage Point have all come up critically short. Surprising enough, Definitely, Maybe had the highest ranking of the four. And second, well, let’s just say I have my reasons.

Definitely, Maybe was definitely not bad. Granted I was going in with pretty low expectations. Ryan Reynolds does not inspire quality. Sure, I enjoyed his work in Van Wilder but Waiting and Just Friends were dreadful. In this film, Reynolds pulls out the charm and does a fine job playing Will Hayes, an ad-exec with a precocious daughter. He is endearing as a father and is puppy-doggish lovesick when it comes to his interactions with his multiple lovers. As the only male that didn’t fall into an annoying stereotype, I found myself able to relate to Reynolds a bit more. I didn’t think Van Wilder had it in him.

The scene-stealer award of Definitely, Maybe can be given to Little Miss Sunshine herself, Abigail Breslin. As inquisitive daughter, Maya, Breslin gives each scene heart. Maya spends the movie trying to piece together who her real mom is by listening to her dad’s recounting of three significant women in his life. Her early interruptions in the story were fun and cute. In fact, my biggest complaint of this film is that these interruptions/commentaries didn’t happen more in the film; after a few comments, the flashbacks take over and last too long. I enjoyed the optimism Breslin gives to her character and let’s face it, she’s too adorable to ignore.

Of three main women in this film, only one sticks out. It’s not Elizabeth Banks. I find her annoying. She reminds me of a poor-man’s Rachel McAdams but with added dullness. She was also a terrible addition to Scrubs last year. Maybe that’s why I don’t like her. It’s also not Rachel Weisz. While I do like a lot of her work but she doesn’t seem to fit into this type of film. I expect more drama from her, not some sugary love story. The one that makes the material work is Isla Fisher. She not as crazy as her role in Wedding Crashers and not as unbelievable as she is in Hot Rod but she plays it perfectly in between. She has a spark. Fisher brings energy to the screen and there is obvious chemistry between her and Reynolds. She’s the one I was rooting for in the film.

I’m not going to tell you who Maya’s mom is. Not that I think you’re spending sleepless nights wondering. The story, written and directed by Adam Brooks, is interesting but not compelling. The mystery element may draw you in but it doesn’t keep your attention throughout the film. One of the major flaws in this film has to do with its pacing. Too much time is spent on each of the women, which doesn’t leave us wanting much more. Also some of the dialogue is pretty syrupy, but I wouldn’t expect much more from a chick flick like this.

So should you see Definitely, Maybe in the theatre? Well it might have already left the theatre a couple of weeks ago. (Sorry, the review is so late. Been busy with school and such for the past month.) In any case, this is one for video. I’m not going to say you should see it definitely, maybe. Instead I’ll say: “Should you see it? Sure, Why Not?”