Definitely, Maybe: DVD Review (2008)

From Adam Brooks, a film that at once embraces formula and, in critical scenes, dismisses it all together.

Early in the film, Will Hayes (Ryan Reynolds) is asked a few difficult questions by his inquisitive 10-year-old daughter, Maya (Abigail Breslin). Some involve sex, which she’s learning about at school, and another involves the reason Will is divorcing Maya’s mother, which she’s learning about at home.

It’s that latter question that’s the land mine.

Since we don’t know who the mother is, what ensues is a trip back in time to 1992 to find out. There, we see a younger Will leaving his girlfriend (Elizabeth Banks) to work on the Clinton campaign and apparently, when their relationship fizzles in New York, to enjoy his share of women, particularly those played by Isla Fisher and Rachel Weisz, each of whom join Banks in playing their roles very differently and very well.

It is, in fact, a virtue of the film that none of the women come off as types. Like Will himself, sometimes we like them, sometimes we don’t, which makes for a richer experience all around.

Rated PG-13. Grade: B+

View the trailer below: