Definitely, Maybe

Definitely, Maybe
Review by Loc

Remember when romantic comedies were, you know, romantic and funny? Remember when the lead actors were, like, likable and charming? Ah, the good old days, where one could take refuge in Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks, knowing all would be right in the world for 90 minutes. Sure, there might be an email mix-up or a plane ride to Seattle getting in the way, but you knew, you damn well knew the warm fuzzies were right around the corner. Nowadays? Not so much. After the Tom Hanks went Da Vinci and Meg Ryan’s personal life exploded like her collagen-filled lips, Hollywood has been trying to anoint the newest romantic comedy darlings. Next up: Mr. Ryan Reynolds, he of Van Wilder and Blade 3 fame? Quick hit: definitely not.

It’s a strange and somber day when a romantic comedy is centered around a divorce. A divorce? Yes, Ryan Reynold’s William Hayes opens Definitely, Maybe with divorce papers in his hands. Cut to the good dad picking up his kid and promising to retell the story of how she came to be, through the numerous relationships of his youth. Here’s the thing, does that pitch sound anything like a romantic comedy? Yeah, that’s sort of the problem, the source material isn’t heart-warming in any sense.

Yet, I guess that’s the reality we live in, so why not base a movie around it? Thus, we get Reynolds recounting the story of his life, changing names to allow his daughter to play along in the fun game of: which one is my mommy! Seriously, how is this a charming flick, at all?

And how is Mr. Ryan Reynolds in his turn as leading man? Eh. He’s not exactly likable, he’s not all that charming, he doesn’t really offer much of anything. When his daughter says, “Daddy, you’re not happy,” that’s an understatement. His solemn, unexpressive stare is not pensive, it’s pissed off. His over-the-top crazy, it’s just anger. To be a romantic lead, one would think Reynolds would exhibit some Tom Hanks. Negative.

His love interests range from Rachel Weisz to Elizabeth Banks, the booty girl in 40 Year Old Virgin, to Isla Fisher, the crazy chick from Wedding Crashers. Rachel Weisz plays a semi-distance, semi-distracted interest, which is good cause you never quite feel the connection. Elizabeth Banks plays the naïve college sweetheart, which is good cause you never quite feel a lasting connection. And Isla Fisher plays the loopy, eccentric chick, which is good cause you never quite feel they match up. Wait, that’s all of the love interests! Yeah, another big problem with this flick, no chemistry.

Overall, nothing works in the flick which makes it a big waste of time. No chemistry between the leads. The leading man is not all that much of a romantic lead. The story is built around the premise of failed marriage, which is always a chipper subject. Out of 15 years of flashbacks, Definitely, Maybe barely recalls 6 years. Don’t waste your time on a non-feel-good, feel-good movie.