Nothing Too Memorable: Definitely, Maybe

Definitely, Maybe
Directed by Adam Brooks
Released March 14, 2008

This year's token Valentine's Day romantic comedy pales as far as actual quality goes in comparison to last year's counterpart, "Music & Lyrics", but I suppose the sappy entertainment and romance factor is pretty much on par. Put quite simply, "Definitely, Maybe" is not my kind of movie, in that there is nothing too clever or artistic about it to merit it as a moviegoing experience. I fully recognize that this movie is not meant to be an awe-inspiring, medium-changing extravaganza, but looking at other romantic comedies, it seems to be lacking. One review called Ryan Reynolds "nauseating", and while I often like him ("Smokin' Aces") I have to agree here. As a lead, he oozes annoying traits throughout the entire film. Abigail Breslin plays a girl WAY too mature for her age, and her perkiness and intelligence become tiresome and unbelievable. The three leading ladies are actually cast pretty well - Isla Fisher of "Wedding Crashers" gives the most commendable performance, while Elizabeth Banks and Rachel Weisz have done better in the past but still turn in decent enough efforts. The film's plot - Breslin interrogates her father to find out who her real mother is - is nothing too new or intriguing, and progresses too slowly to make itself worthwhile. See it on a date, maybe, but as a movie itself, I wouldn't say that it's worth much.

C