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Definitely, Maybe

Review By: Brian DePasquale
BrianDePasquale @TheCinemaSource.com

The romantic comedy, more so than any other genre, lives or dies in the hands of chemistry. Love stories can survive sub par plot if the bond between characters is strong. Passion can out weigh action if a movie’s heart is in the right place. Definitely, Maybe succeeds because the match ups on screen are deliciously calculated. Individual scenes glow with the magic that has sparked so many other classic romances, a perfect blend of wit and whimsy. The big picture is not perfect, but it is often as appealing as the smaller details. The movie pushes away its flaws with the sheer force of likeability.

Ryan Reynolds stars as William Hayes, a recently divorced New York stud with a cute, inquisitive daughter. Maya, played adoringly by Abigail Breslin, has some questions for her father after she learns some new vocabulary in sex education. She demands that her father tell the story of how he fell in love with her mom. The film functions mainly in flashback as told by dad to daughter, following William’s journey to New York City, his ascent to prominence in the political campaign landscape, and his relationships (or “Pandora’s hot sexy box” as Will calls it) with three separate women that each leave a lasting imprint on his life.

The ladies are all impeccably casted. Isla Fisher and Rachel Weisz glow within the dimensions of their characters, giving them added individual charms that no screenwriter could hope to capture on the page. Elizabeth Banks is given a less meaty role, but she plays it efficiently. The performances of the three actors are crucial to making a piece like this work. When it works, it is sexy as hell.

Writer and director Adam Brooks has an impeccable knack for several important aspects of his trade. For one, he has a compelling instinct for human nature and one of the strengths of his latest film is the earnest truth his characters convey scene after scene. He also has a keen eye for backdrop, never forgetting that his films take place during a specific time and place. Definitely, Maybe begins in 1992 (Will works for Bill Clinton’s presidential campaign) and slowly progresses to present day. Watch how Brooks develops the progression of William’s life with the developments of Clinton’s presidency. Take note of his use of music to capture