Once or twice a year, a romantic comedy strikes the perfect balance.
There is no denying that 9 out of 10 rom-coms are predictable paint-by-numbers movies that offer up light and forgettable entertainment. Some are funnier and smarter than others — but most of the time, they will slip out of your memory bank before the credits finish rolling.
That being said, a couple of times each year, we get treated to something original and touching — a rom-com that tries a little harder and offers up characters we can care about after the screen fades to black.
“Definitely, Maybe” is laden with charm and joy in ways reminiscent of the classics from this genre. Every scene and every character just felt honest and real. I never felt overwhelmed by contrivances of the plot. The film made me feel good without any semblance of cynicism or sarcasm.
The film stars Ryan Reynolds and the lovely Abigail Breslin as a father and daughter who banter like brother and sister. One night, the young girl asks her father to tell her the story of how he met her mother — and so the flashbacks begin.
The three women who form the possible maternal candidates are played by Rachel Weisz, Isla Fisher and Elizabeth Banks — a more charming or gorgeous trio you will not find.
As the film bounces back & forth, teasing us with possible clues, it is hard not to start rooting for a favorite. Without giving anything away — everything worked out exactly as I would have hoped. Although, that is not to say that the film played out predictably. In fact, I was surprised by the final act.
“Definitely, Maybe” is a perfect date movie. Women in the audience will shed tears 90% of the time. Consequently, men in the audience will score 90% of the time. It is a lovely and charming movie that will clearly play well in multiple Valentine’s Day viewings for years to come.
