Definitely, Maybe
Universal Pictures | Release Date: February 14, 2008
7.2
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 110 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
80
Mixed:
23
Negative:
7
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
10
GeorgeK.Feb 26, 2008
Ryan Reynolds is typically plays the roll of a funny character, but in this movie he was more than that. While including his funny one-liners, he was able to make an audience cry with his ability to be serious and romantic. Overall, this Ryan Reynolds is typically plays the roll of a funny character, but in this movie he was more than that. While including his funny one-liners, he was able to make an audience cry with his ability to be serious and romantic. Overall, this movie. compared to the other junk that comes out about romantic comedies, is the best one of its kind of the year by far. It would be stupid not to see this movie, but be aware that you will most likely leave the theater in tears it's that touching.… Expand
3 of 3 users found this helpful
9
CameronSFeb 17, 2008
I really enjoyed this movie. It was completely original compared to the other crappy romantic comedies out there. The story was engaging and interesting. I was into the movie the entire time. It was a little too long but the charector I really enjoyed this movie. It was completely original compared to the other crappy romantic comedies out there. The story was engaging and interesting. I was into the movie the entire time. It was a little too long but the charector development made it worth while.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful
9
RomComJul 18, 2009
The performance of Ryan Reynolds and Isla Fisher was a thing of beauty. Reynolds is completely relatable while Fisher provided a woman all too easy to fall in love with. Rachel Weisz, Elizabeth Banks, and Abigail Breslin provided great The performance of Ryan Reynolds and Isla Fisher was a thing of beauty. Reynolds is completely relatable while Fisher provided a woman all too easy to fall in love with. Rachel Weisz, Elizabeth Banks, and Abigail Breslin provided great support throughout the film. Seeing the end-credits begin to roll was a grave disappointment.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful
8
BethWFeb 16, 2008
I thought this movie was sweet. It was better than most of the other romantic comedies being released lately. It didn't have a completely predictable plot and ending like most others of its genre. Definitely a good date night movie.
1 of 1 users found this helpful
8
CharlesG.Feb 18, 2008
Perfect, sappy, romantic movie for a Valentine's day outing. This movie is very heartfelt - not relying on raunchy humor or far fetched scenarios to get laughs. Plus, Rachel Weisz is smokin, Ryan Reynolds is hilarious, and Abigail Perfect, sappy, romantic movie for a Valentine's day outing. This movie is very heartfelt - not relying on raunchy humor or far fetched scenarios to get laughs. Plus, Rachel Weisz is smokin, Ryan Reynolds is hilarious, and Abigail Breslin is adorable.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful
9
txrangersfan72Sep 19, 2010
I am a sucker for the romantic comedy, but there is nothing I hate worse than a cheesy one. Ok, so maybe they are all a bit cheesy, but I have fallen victim to the formula of watching two souls destined to be together and the story it takesI am a sucker for the romantic comedy, but there is nothing I hate worse than a cheesy one. Ok, so maybe they are all a bit cheesy, but I have fallen victim to the formula of watching two souls destined to be together and the story it takes to get them there. Wow...I just realized. I AM cheesy!

And, thus, I have fallen hard for Definitely, Maybe. Unlike most romantic comedies, this one is centered primarily around the adorable young actress Abigail Breslin from Little Miss Sunshine, another one of my favorites. Abigail plays the precious young Maya, daughter of underrated hunky actor Ryan Reynolds (yes, I said it), who plays former Clinton-campaign worker-turned-ad-man Will Hayes, who wants desperately to make sense of her parents' divorce and to see her father happy. As with any little girl, the fantasy romance plays heavily in her belief-system about love, thus she begs her father to explain how she came to be, and how he came to marry the woman from whom he is obtaining a divorce. The movie weaves an intricate and pretty realistic set of scenarios (although all of them together seems a bit far-fetched) on how men and women decide to enter and eventually exit relationships.

As the story moves its way through the film, the viewer is introduced to a myriad of attractive and unique female supporting cast members, played by Elizabeth Banks (Emily/Sarah), Rachel Weisz (Summer/Natasha) and the eventual owner of Will's heart, the immensely sexy Isla Fisher (April).

The writing and directing of Adam Brooks sucks the viewer into the narration just as much as young Maya. I found myself trying to figure out where the story was going and making openly verbal guesses as to what would happen next. At no point did the story get old or boring. And, by the end, I found myself tearing up.

Having come from a divorced family myself, and at times, nearing divorce in my own marriage, it's movies like this that do a very REAL job of expressing what questions and emotions children go through as their life changes through no fault of their own. It's heartbreaking. And Maya's quest to make sense of it all through this story is as much part of her own healing as it is Will's. And, in the end, they both do everything they can to find the happy ending. Like any good romantic comedy, the predictable happy ending does indeed come.

Supporting cast members Elizabeth Banks, Rachel Weisz and her lover, the perfectly-cast Kevin Kline, do a tremendous job giving depth to the story and providing a realistic view of how all of us migrate through our 20s and early-to-mid 30s beginning as enthusiastic, yet naive, adults to realistic and somewhat cynical thirtysomethings. Being one myself, I was taken aback by the transformation of each character as they become more mature, having gone down their own individual paths, eventually leading Will and April back together.

I have been waiting for the rest of the world to realize just how great Ryan is since the first episode I saw of Two Guys, A Girl and a Pizza Place. I was convinced he was Jim Carrey's younger brother. Now, I realize he is not only good looking on screen, but also deadpan funny (see Waiting, Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle and Just Friends)and superbly believable in dramatic (or non-funny) roles, as evidenced in Definitely, Amityville Horror and Blade:Trinity. When I saw the trailers for Definitely, Maybe, I thought (pardon the pun), maybe Ryan had finally found the vehicle, the writer/director and the supporting cast to show the rest of the world just what a phenomenal talent he is. Alas, the movie did ok, but this wonderful movie didn't receive the accolades it so richly deserves.

While there is no need for a sequel, I encourage you to rent or buy this film on DVD to not only see a great film, but financially support future films like this.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
All this user's reviews
10
ALFApr 3, 2011
Joe Morgenstern what a joke. This film is cleverly put together and worth many viewings. It does something original for a romantic story, it shows a man telling his daughter about his dating history and gets his daughter to guess who is herJoe Morgenstern what a joke. This film is cleverly put together and worth many viewings. It does something original for a romantic story, it shows a man telling his daughter about his dating history and gets his daughter to guess who is her mother. This all happens during the daughters visits to her father as like many real life families, the daughters parents are divorcing. Abigail Breslin as the daughter is excellent and so is the cast. The way the passage of years is depicted is well done. Some of it is very funny but it is not the run of the mill romantic comedy, it is romantic, it has comedy but most of all it is a well told story with a beginning, middle and, well that is for you to find out.… Expand
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
All this user's reviews
10
AndrewBJul 30, 2009
This movie is the best. Some may say this is The Godfather of romantic comedies. In my opinion, it is more like The Godfather II.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
LindaG+AFeb 17, 2008
My hubby and I enjoyed this one. I thought the political and technology flashbacks were well done. I disagree that this was anti-Clinton in tone -- I recall some of the same feelings (especially during the Monica mess) that Clinton was a My hubby and I enjoyed this one. I thought the political and technology flashbacks were well done. I disagree that this was anti-Clinton in tone -- I recall some of the same feelings (especially during the Monica mess) that Clinton was a great leader, but he had a serious archilles heel - these somewhat trashy women. And recall that Will was dealing with his own depression and poor choices (surrounding women) at the same time Clinton was. But at the end, when Will saw Clinton jogging through the park, it made his day. He was still a Clinton supporter and proud of his role in 1992. The romantic mystery definitely works and I think the ending was just right.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
PaulK.Feb 18, 2008
Not normally my bag, but I liked it. If you're a fan of romantic comedies, you've probably already seen this. Everyone else will probably be pleasantly surprised. Good.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
MichaelM.Feb 19, 2008
An entertaining flick with some witty yet unforced dialogue that helped moved the story along.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
JoshFeb 24, 2008
Is this Citizen Kane? No. But I thought it was a nice and happy movie, funny and endearing.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
DougR.Mar 20, 2008
Ryan Reynolds and all the women are good, plot is interesting, NY is a good backdrop. A unique rom/com from the guy's point of view. Two Thumbs Up !
0 of 0 users found this helpful
7
JesterM.Jul 23, 2008
The movie was very entertaining, and I would like to forward the motion that we don't allow right wing nutjobs to post reviews on Metacritic anymore. These conservative crazies shouldn't be afforded the same rights as us good The movie was very entertaining, and I would like to forward the motion that we don't allow right wing nutjobs to post reviews on Metacritic anymore. These conservative crazies shouldn't be afforded the same rights as us good freedom loving Americans. I doubt this will get posted as there is a double standard which allows the right wingers to get cart blanche when it comes to peddling crazy whereever they want, but when a good old fashioned liberal wants to enter the fray he gets shut down. Now, I know whoever the arbitrator of posting things on this site is, they are for sure a liberal.... so allow me to ask you friend... what are you prepared to do about it :)… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
KaDiBostickFeb 21, 2009
Definitely better than most romantic comedies. Maybe it could've been a little bit more realistic. I mean unless his (Will) memory is photographic than I can't judge,but who can really remember everything everyone said 12 years Definitely better than most romantic comedies. Maybe it could've been a little bit more realistic. I mean unless his (Will) memory is photographic than I can't judge,but who can really remember everything everyone said 12 years ago. But it's still a pretty good movie.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
ChadS.Feb 15, 2008
Political demagoguery, it's in the genes of this seemingly harmless romantic comedy called "Definitely, Maybe", a film that definitely wants to you to join the anti-Hillary army come this November, maybe even before the Democratic Political demagoguery, it's in the genes of this seemingly harmless romantic comedy called "Definitely, Maybe", a film that definitely wants to you to join the anti-Hillary army come this November, maybe even before the Democratic nomination for the presidency is wrapped up(the Derek Luke character might be a Barack Obama stand-in). Will Hayes(Ryan Reynolds), a campaign worker for Bill Clinton's 1992 nomination bid, comes to work everyday dressed in a suit and tie. Although formal wear isn't a uniform exclusive to the Young Republicans, Will's ignorance of that cultural Zeitgeist that was "grunge" music(he doesn't know who Kurt Cobain is), makes you wonder what he and his friends were listening to during the year punk broke. Red and blue are ubiquitous colors in "Definitely, Maybe", most notably when Will fixes lunch for his daughter Maya(Abigail Breslin). There are two colanders; a red and a blue one, Will chooses the red sieve(he's also a University of Wisconsin grad; red is the dominant school color). Later in the film, Will shouts, "What am I doing here?" while performing the work of a grunt at Clinton headquarters. Most notably, he's the lone Clinton dissenter at a party where the Monica Lewinsky scandal is discussed amongst his former colleagues. Will harps about the lie, the sanctity of the Oval Office, in other words, the same song and dance we heard from conservative pundits like Ann Coulter. His friends would vote again for Bill in a heartbeat(read: they'd vote for Hillary). Not Will; that's because he's too moderate, like Hillary, who often distances herself from the liberal side of her party. "Definitely, Maybe" reminds voters of the moral baggage that Clinton's husband brings to the table, and how the former-first lady is neither true blue nor dead red-right. Where Michael Moore failed, "Definitely, Maybe" was released to persuade potential voters to either vote for the republican candidate, or for Barack Obama, who political analysts believe would have a lesser chance of beating his challenger in the general election.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
LauraV.Feb 17, 2008
I saw this picture with a divorced father and his 12 year old daughter and both of them (and me) loved the movie. So I'm sure they looked at the movie if only daddy had picked a better girlfriend to marry since the daughter doesn't I saw this picture with a divorced father and his 12 year old daughter and both of them (and me) loved the movie. So I'm sure they looked at the movie if only daddy had picked a better girlfriend to marry since the daughter doesn't like the new boyfriend her mother currently has and she likes me. But I'm not an old girlfriend from the past. So that part didn't match the movie. so the daughter likes the fact that her daddy has a girlfriend that she likes too which seems to match the ending of the movie. Of course, another movie could be a daughter picking out a new girlfriend which is kind of what this movie is about except that the father looks in the past to get that next one since it seems he picked the wrong woman.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
7
LynnA.Jul 24, 2008
The movie was great but the part about the mother just doesnt make snce.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
7
RodT.Jul 27, 2008
It look some time for me to warm to this movie. I admit, watching it on my laptop, over two days, between weekend chores probably isn't the best way to watch a movie and rate it fairly, but lets give it a go. When all is said and done, It look some time for me to warm to this movie. I admit, watching it on my laptop, over two days, between weekend chores probably isn't the best way to watch a movie and rate it fairly, but lets give it a go. When all is said and done, I rate the movie a solid C+, but if you were to catch me midway through, I would be on the verge of turning it off. Basically it picks up after a bit and ends well. Maybe you should read a magazine for the first hour.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
jelenabiebs31Jan 21, 2016
A great movie, Had a great father and daughter relationship. Superb acting by both father and daughter.

Watch it online for free: https://www.primewire.ag/watch-224-Definitely-Maybe-online-free
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
Sosmooth1982Jun 24, 2023
I must say I really liked this movie. I have a little girl too so it kind of hits home for me. This movie makes you think a lot about your own life choices and past relationships that you know you will never get back. It's weird.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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