Will Hayes is in the midst of divorce when his 10 - year - old daughter, Maya, starts to question him about his life before marriage.. Will recounts to her the story of the three women who have shared his life.. As Maya attempts to figure out which of the women became her mother she begins to understand the complexity of love and Will realises that it’s never too late to go back..

Rated: [ PG ]  Mild sexual references and coarse language

Cinema release: 14th February 2008

Running time: 112 minutes

Stars: Ryan Reynolds, Rachel Weisz, Isla Fisher, Abigail Breslin, Kevin Kline

There’s always some scepticism when studios use the phrase ” from the makers of ” to promote a film, as it’s often a warning it won’t stand on its own merit.. Fortunately, Working Title has a long history of hitting the mark when it comes to romantic comedies and Definitely, Maybe is no exception..

Facing a divorce, advertising executive Will Hayes ( Ryan Reynolds ) is asked by his daughter ( Abigail Breslin ) about how he met her mother in the hope that it will rekindle their marriage.. Changing the names, he tells her about a string of failed romances so that she can figure out which of his dates eventually became his wife and her mother..

The story picks up in 1992, when Will leaves his college sweetheart Emily ( Elizabeth Banks ) to go to New York and work on Bill Clinton’s election campaign.. There he meets April ( Isla Fisher ), the copy girl in the election office, and Summer ( Rachel Weisz ), a journalist for the ” New Yorker ” and an old friend of Emily’s.. As each woman comes in and out of Will’s life the audience is kept guessing about who he ends up with, removing the usual predictability of this type of film..

Much of the support must go to Reynolds, who is entirely likeable on screen and has managed in his career to play everything from the scoundrel ( Van Wilder ) to the action hero ( Blade Trinity ) to the affable and loveable nice guy in this film.. However, he is generous enough in his acting to let the stars also be the girls involved..

But why isn’t Reynolds a movie star yet? He may play the lead role in movies, but he has yet to really breakthrough and become a household name despite dabbling in romantic comedies, horror, comic book movies, dramas, and action flicks.. Maybe it’s that he’s still too youthful looking to play very adult roles or that he’s funny, but not ludicrously so like Jack Black or Jim Carrey.. Reynolds has an appealing personality and broader range than many of his more successful contemporaries, as Definitely, Maybe once more makes clear.. Reynolds keeps some of his past smarmy glibness in - check here, playing Will as an amiable everyman rife with both flaws and strong points..

Not yet 12 years old, Abigail Breslin already has an impressive résumé.. She started at age 6 in M. Night Shyamalan’s Signs, has done TV work on shows such as Grey’s Anatomy and Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, and was nominated for an Oscar for her role in the 2006 sweetly dysfunctional Little Miss Sunshine.. Her dance at the film’s finale is the kind of scene that will be played on “ best movie scenes ” shows for years to come..

The casting of the three would - be mothers is spot - on as well.. For years, Elizabeth Banks has been the Hollywood sweetheart, and she’s perfect for the basic girlfriend back home.. Isla Fisher is simply adorable as the New Yorker who captures Will’s heart.. And Rachel Weisz also works as the woman of the world that dominates Will..

At times, when the film flashes back to Will and Maya as he tells her the story, it seems out of place.. Of course, Breslin rules the screen in these scenes, and it kept me wanting to see more of her.. She’s a perfect actress for this, not being too cute but being completely lovable on screen..

Unfortunately, the schtick works against itself by making the story a little too busy with the flashbacks..

There are also plenty of cheesy moments, especially as we roll on into the ending where Maya is trying to get her dad to be with one of his loves.. Like the busy moments of the movie flashing back and forth from present to past, this ending makes the film run a little long..

However, if you’re into the whole romantic comedy game, you’re gonna love this drawn-out love story.

Compared to 27 Dresses and Fool’s Gold ( Which was a little more enjoyable, but not for the actors necessarily ), Definitely, Maybe is a much smarter and winsome movie.. It’s not too over - the - top, and I never lost sympathy for the characters; even if Will Hayes was an ardent Bill Clinton supporter..

Still, with some movies delving into politics, I was impressed that they managed to skip the liberal idealism and show the messy world of politics with all of its foibles..

A well - written script by Adam Brooks lifts the story above standard romantic comedy fare and the film is exceptionally cast.. Reynolds’ performance feels somewhat familiar but is a perfect fit, while Little Miss Sunshine’s Breslin is once again a standout..

Writer / director Adam Brooks does a fine job of creating a compelling tale that avoids the expectations of the genre while still delivering a relatable experience.. He has given us a film where there are no ” bad guys,” but where the inhabitants have their own desires and dreams which will converge and veer away from the others.. It is well written and compelling.. This is definitely a film that can be at the very least considered to join the upper ranks of modern rom - coms..

Definitely, Maybe starts out as a romantic drama, heads into romantic comedy and, in the end, becomes a touching, even misty - eyed, out - and - out romance..

As in real life, there are surprises along the way.. The ensemble cast seems comfortable working together, and Breslin as Maya adds a touch of innocent sweetness to the proceedings.. It’s another film that may be derided by action hounds as a “ chick flick ” but, as mentioned in this column before, I don’t care what genre a film is pigeonholed into - a good story and compelling characters make for good viewing..

As with any film like this, there are the saccharine moments that make you feel all warm and fuzzy, but thankfully they’re not allowed to rule the film..

With more than enough laughs, Definitely, Maybe may just be one of the best romantic comedies this year.. I give Definitely, Maybe 4 out of 5..