Definitely, Maybe

Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Abigail Breslin, Elizabeth Banks, Isla Fisher, Rachel Weisz

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0832266/

This review contains minor spoilers.

Since one film about Ryan Reynolds as a father was clearly not enough, I sat down and watched a second. Not to mention the “From the creators of Notting Hill and Love Actually” plastered on the cover – the latter of which is among my favorite romantic comedies. And to top it all off it has three gorgeous and hilarious female actors – Rachel Weisz is not normally a funny actor but she was surprisingly so in this film – which, while not enough to carry a film, sure helps to make it enjoyable.

The plot is extremely reminiscent of the tv show “How I Met Your Mother” which is one of the few shows I enjoy watching – mainly for Neal Patrick Harris who is amazing – but at least this time the mom is there from the beginning, it’s just a matter of figuring out which girl is the one. It’s an interesting concept, albeit not too intriguing. I had figured it figured out part way through – but the ending still somewhat surprised me. I wouldn’t say it was the best ending; I enjoyed it but it felt both paced too fast and perhaps too improbable. I thought the characters acted too different at the end from how they acted throughout the rest of the film.

That’s not a fault so much of the actors as it is of the producers who probably pushed for a more commercial ending than what the writers originally had in mind – which is of course all speculation, and it is entirely possible that the writers always had this ending written. Apart from the enjoyable but slightly off ending, the rest of the film had some pretty entertaining writing. There were no ab-killing jokes, but that would have ruined the more dramatic moments, and overall it was more one long situationally funny film which sort of builds up without going anywhere. It doesn’t sound that appealing but it was entertaining.

While the story was enjoyable but not amazing, and the direction and camera work nothing special, the actors were what I enjoyed most. Not necessarily the acting itself but the actors in general. I have always liked Ryan Reynolds and he’s good in his typical way here. As was Abigail Breslin who I’m more indifferent to but theres no doubt she has talent. The three ladies were all great – I’ve always enjoyed Isla Fisher since I saw her in Wedding Crashers, and as much as I hated Hot Rod, I laughed at her jokes – and they all brought something different, but the surprise of this film was Kevin Kline. His role was not huge but every scene he had was hilarious and I would find myself chuckling even when there was no joke.

So I enjoyed the movie, it was not a best for any of the actors but it was entertaining. I would recommend it if you like a dramatic romantic comedy (which is an odd genre, and I’m not entirely true it exists but it felt the most fitting) and especially if you enjoy the actors since they would be the main reason for seeing this film.

~ by Hobbes on June 9, 2008.