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A Reel Life film section

Issue: Summer 2008

Definitely Maybe movie review

We need to talk

'It's like a love story mystery.'

Will Hayes (Ryan Reynolds) has just received his divorce papers, but the day is looking up -- he's on his way to pick up his daughter Maya (Abigail Breslin) from school.

The halls are pandemonium, children and parents in an uproar in the aftermath of a sex education class. The kids are fascinated, horrified, excited, depending on their personalities. In Maya's case she wants details. What is an accidental pregnancy? Was she an accident? How did her parents meet? Why have they separated?

Will agrees to tell his daughter the ultimate bedtime story -- how he met her mother, and why she, of all the women he was involved with, became his wife and Maya's mother.

Movie poster, Definitely Maybe; Festivale film review

Movie poster, Definitely Maybe; Festivale film review

Three relationships. Three disasters. One last chance.

'I'm going to change all of the names and some of the facts.'

Narrated by present-day Will, intercutting present day conversations between Maya an Will, the story is told in flashback.

Will's ambition was to become president of the United States, and he begins his journey by leaving his girl (Emily) and his home to work on the Clinton campaign in New York.

In New York he meets first copy girl April and then journalist Summer. Over the years before the birth of his daughter he declares his love for each of these women, but which one will become wife and mother to the pair?

With a deep background of 90s politics, Definitely Maybe is the story of a series of relationships that definitely might be true love. Will's search for happiness takes place as he finds his own place in life.

The film-makers include solid, experienced actors including Kevin Kline who sucks the marrow of his role as a drunken, debauching author. Definitely Maybe has the satisfying unity of vision that comes from a writer-director.

A pleasure to watch -- a film that tells us in an entertaining and non-didactic way about fundamental human concerns -- finding the place where, and people with whom we belong.

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by Ali Kayn
Due for Australian release 14 February 2008
For credits and official site details, see below
Search Festivale for more work by the film-makers below.

See also: Love Actually

Just the facts:

Title: Definitely Maybe (2008)
Written by: Adam Brooks
Directed by: Adam Brooks
running time: 112 mins
rating: PG


The Players: Ryan Reynolds, Elizabeth Banks, Annie Parisse, Rachel Weisz, Kevin Kline


Official website: www.definitelymaybemovie.com
IMDb entry


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