NICOLE ALBERTSON
Life Editor
Ryan Reynolds hits the screen as Will Hayes in the romantic comedy “Definitely, Maybe,” starring opposite child star Abigail Breslin, and three resident hotties – Elizabeth Banks, Rachel Weisz and Isla Fisher. But despite the multiple romantic matches on screen, Reynolds is unable to conjure up enough chemistry with any of them, leaving the film lacking in its core objective, romance.
Caught in the middle of his divorce, Will struggles to explain love and sex to his 11 year-old daughter Maya (Breslin). When Maya begs Will to tell her the real story about how her parents fell in love, Will decides to change the names of the three major loves in his life and let Maya figure out which one is her mother.
Beginning in 1992, Will moves to New York to work on Bill Clinton’s presidential campaign and leaves behind his college sweetheart Emily (Banks). In the midst of his growing career, Will meets his second love, a writer for New York Magazine, named Summer (Weisz). After one more heartbreak, Will finally sees true love in long-time friend, April (Fisher).
Through her bedtime story, Maya learns that love is not so simple and the truth about her parents’ less-than-perfect lives.
While Reynolds does not create enough chemistry with his leading loves, he still brings his classic humor and sarcasm to the screen that has put his name on the map. Famously known for his roles in “Waiting…” and “Van Wilder,” Reynolds’ sense of comedy is expertly shown with his exaggerations, emotions and slight gestures that add the extra elements to every scene. While this Valentine’s Day release is not a sobbing romance, Reynolds holds the screen with his presence and overwhelming humor.
Academy Award-nominated Breslin shines on the screen once again as Will’s daughter. This precocious young actor steals every scene she graces and illuminates the screen with her innocent eyes. Her emotional range demonstrates knowledge and understanding beyond her 11 years. Breslin is able to capture the despair, sadness and confusion of love and divorce with a remarkable ease.
Written and directed by Adam Brooks, creator of romantic comedies like “Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason,” “Wimbledon” and “Practical Magic,” the comedy is staged in New York City. As New York tends to do, the city becomes its own character within the film and casts a contradicting light over each relationship. The harsh realities of the city play against Will’s naivety and “all or nothing” personality. Brooks uses New York to demonstrate human nature, the sense of predictable personalities in an unpredictable nature.
Starting his romantic quest, or tragedy, in the early 1990’s brings out classic music and culture phrases too soon forgotten. Time traveling back to the meteoric rise and tragic fall of Nirvana and President Clinton, half of the laughs come from personal memories fostered in the 1990s.
But despite the lackluster chemistry, “Definitely, Maybe” does bring more attention to another American pastime – divorce. While the film circles around past and lost loves, the overwhelming message spins a positive view on mutual divorce. Before the beginning of Maya’s bedtime story, she is very confused about “complicated love” and the reason behind her parents’ split. After she solves the puzzle, Maya understands her parents’ lives and helps Will get a second – more like fourth – chance with his real love and gain ultimate happiness.
“Definitely, Maybe” is a cute, light comedy that can satisfy any Reynolds craving. But for those in search of a romantic tear-jerker, best steer clear of this lackluster romance failing to initiate any real sparks.
02-21-2008
