'Maybe' you should skip this film

 by Jeff Mitchell
 published on Monday, February 18, 2008

Photo courtesy of Universal Studios

DAUGHTER DEAREST: Abigail Breslin and Ryan Reynolds star in the new romantic comedy “Definitely, Maybe” about a father recounting to his daughter his failed attempts at love.

I've gone without a watch for years, solely depending upon getting to the next class, lunch, meeting or movie on time via the clock on my cell phone.

I finally broke down and spent $85 on a watch back in December.

The band is a metallic silver color with black leather.

It's a digital watch with gray number. Maybe I like retro too much, but I loved the look of this timepiece.

Unfortunately, the watch doesn't work. The watch was great on the surface but …

Well, "Definitely, Maybe," a romantic comedy with an outstanding cast of Ryan Reynolds, Elizabeth Banks, Isla Fisher, Rachel Weisz and Kevin Kline, looks great on the surface.

The film even stars Abigail Breslin, who charmed audiences in "Signs" and "Little Miss Sunshine."

Reynolds plays Will Hayes, a broken-hearted New York ad exec, who announces to the audience (in voice-over) that he is getting divorced.

Soon afterward, Will picks up his daughter, Maya (Breslin), at school and she, somehow, talks him into revealing his sorted and lengthy dating history.

The "supposed" hook of the film is Maya and the audience's attempting to guess which one of Will's previous girlfriends (i.e. failed relationships) is her mom.

"Definitely, Maybe" is supposed to be a romantic comedy, but surprisingly there is very little romance between Reynolds and his likeable past-girlfriends: Banks, Fisher and Weisz.

A few moments of first kisses and the occasional laugh are thrown in for good measure, but mostly, the film spends much more time on Will's relationship struggles.

Struggles between career and commitment, miscommunication and bad timing are at the forefront.

All of the capable actors do their best with the material, but the script's focus on Will's mistakes and bad luck — rather than comedy or romance — ultimately let the cast and the audience down.

I could write a movie about the bone-headed decisions in my past relationships, but it certainly wouldn't be an entertaining romantic comedy.

Maybe fodder for "America's Funniest Home Videos" or a documentary called "How to Mess Up a Relationship in 10 Steps or Less," but a romantic comedy?

I don't think so.

The movie also runs long — nearly two hours — as it trudges through about 16 years in Will's life. I caught myself turning to my watch, er, cell phone, wondering when it would end.

Despite the length of any romantic comedy, the audience needs to root for two people to end up together.

Unfortunately, Will screws up badly with one of the ex-girlfriends toward the end of the picture. Any hope of rooting for this guy finding love goes out the window.

"Definitely, Maybe" is one romantic comedy you'll want to avoid, but with its terrific cast, it still may do well at the box office.

And yes, I did return that watch, but replaced it with exactly the same one.
I know, but it looks great on the surface.

Reach the reporter at: jeffrey.mitchell@asu.edu.