Definitely, Maybe (2008)

User Rating:

7.4/10   

Director:

Adam Brooks

Writer (WGA):

Adam Brooks (written by)

Release Date:

14 February 2008 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

Three relationships. Three disasters. One last chance.

Plot:

A political consultant tries to explain his impending divorce and past relationships to his 11-year-old daughter.

Plot Keywords:

Interracial Relationship | Playing Footsie | Divorce | Father Daughter Relationship | Single Father

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Ryan Reynolds	...	Will Hayes
Abigail Breslin	...	Maya Hayes
Elizabeth Banks	...	Emily
Isla Fisher	...	April Hoffman
Rachel Weisz	...	Summer Hartley
Kevin Kline	...	Hampton Roth
Derek Luke	...	Russell T. McCormack
Fiona Lane	...	Angry Girl
Dana Eskelson	...	Angry Girl's Mom
Blake Benitez	...	School Kid #1
Paulina Gerzon	...	School Kid #2
Victoria Goldsmith	...	School Kid #3
Ashtyn Greenstein	...	School Kid #4
Ashley Greiner	...	School Kid #5
Dylan Hartigan	...	School Kid #6

Also Known As:

Un jour, peut-être (France)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for sexual content, including some frank dialogue, language and smoking.

Runtime:

UK:112 min

Country:

UK | USA | France

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | SDDS | DTS

Certification:

UK:12A | Ireland:15A | Netherlands:AL | Canada:G (Quebec) | Australia:PG | Canada:PG (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Ontario) | Singapore:PG | USA:PG-13 (certificate #43597) | South Korea:15 | Germany:o.Al. | Malaysia:U | Sweden:Btl | Australia:M (DVD release) | Argentina:13 | New Zealand:M

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

Abigail Breslin's character makes reference to her American Girls doll collection stating that they would be "worth a fortune". Breslin is actually the first actress to play one of the American Girls, Kit Kittredge, in her own movie (Kit Kittredge: An American Girl (2008)). Both films were released in 2008.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: Early in the film, Will is seen walking and behind him is a Payless Shoe Source outlet. The store's logo is the current (2008) design, not that of 1992 (when the scene takes place).

Quotes:

Will Hayes: You should go to life rehab or something like that.

Movie Connections:

References Parenthood (1989)

Saw an advance screening and actually enjoyed it!

and that's saying a lot since I'm not a "romantic comedy" kind of gal.

The little girl is fabulous. Good casting. She's adorable without being perfect. Kevin Kline was an absolute delight as an unapologetic drunken writer/professor who also happens to be quite full of himself. Rachel Weisz (whom I normally do not care for) was completely (and unexpectedly) charming. Ryan Reynolds was also a good casting choice. Unexpectedly believable as a dad.

The bulk of the movie is him explaining to his daughter, bedtime story style (told entirely in flashbacks) about love and how he met her mother, with her being the proverbial "happy ending". Except ... she seems to be the only one who notices that her Dad really isn't happy at all. Isla Fisher also shines. Watching her character grow from someone who is completely devoid of any direction or purpose into a real woman, complete with self-esteem, was a nice touch.

Loved the relationship stories. It's amazing what you don't see when you are in a relationship, only to come to a realization much later. Anyone who has ever traded a trip on the QEII for a proverbial three hour tour on the S.S. Minnow relationship-wise will totally relate.

The fact that Ryan Reynolds sometimes gets so carried away with the story that he forgets he is talking to a little girl leads to a few (ok, so it's a lot) contrived chuckles along with a couple of genuinely funny moments.

It's not going to win an Oscar or break a box office record, but if you want a completely enjoyable two hour escape ... see this movie.