Definitely, Maybe: May Be a Good Movie

Romantic comedies tend to be all-too predictable. Roger Ebert has a long list of romantic comedy moments, from the "meet cute" to the "required break-up." They took a simple idea of making three women, three storylines with three "meet cute"s and three "required break-up" with a degree of success in each. The result is- if you're comfortable being taken away from the usual formula promising a happy ending- a great romantic comedy.

The movie opens us with Ryan Reynolds as Will Hayes, a successful advertising agent with his divorce papers on his desk. He happy walks to the elementary school to pick up his daughter (played by the young, great Abigail Breslin) and discovers the school in a sate of chaos after a sex-ed lecture came a few grades too early. (The innocent sex talk and kids screaming "Do you have sex with mommy? Do you? You do, DON'T YOU! I HATE YOU!" was worth the price of admission alone.) This leads (illogically) to the daughter asking her father to tell her the story of how him and her mom met. Instead, he tells her the story of three women that have came back and forth in his life, changing the names and leaving her to guess which is her mother.

(<--- Emily) Why this game? I don't know, I don't think anyone knows, but it does give the movie a decent twist. Anyhoo, enter three women with fake names. Emily, who is the college sweetheart and girl from back home. She's the one to take back to meet the folks. Summer Hartley (played by the energetic Rachel Weisz), who is the wild New York liberal intellectual who has had not so innocent relations with Emily. Third is April (played by the gorgoeus Isla Fischer), as the friend that beomces too close and starts to love Will.

(<--- April) The movie's gem is the degree of personality each character is given. Every time Will's heart turns towards another woman, it is easy to see how each of them appeal to a different side of him. Summer appeals to his elite side as he moves up the ranks with the democrats while on various campaigns. April appeals to his friendly, 20-something side. Emily is the dreams of a house and kid, the kind of life most would reasonably want. The movie portrays love for what it really is: random, ill-timed, and hard to go without. Will faces the women feeling for him or not at the wrong times, as well as other obsticales.

(<--- Summer) The moments out of the bedtime story gives us personal reflection, time to analyze whether or not he is happy. It gives Will a third deminsion, time to realize he is lonely. Instead of falling in love seeming like a requirement because he's in a movie, it is something his character needs to fill the gap made from the disappointment politics gave him in a career choice or heal from other lover's wounds.

The rest of the movie is rounded out by a great performance by Kevin Kline as the older professor Summer has an affair with. Historical moments in political campaigns and scandals add a setting foretell the disappointment Will will feel later on in life.

Three separate storylines allow us to keep guessing. There is probably a moment where you will root for one girl and be disappointed she's not the one he pursues in the end (one-in-three chance of getting it right, and even then the love isn't found the first time around).

Is it entertaining? Yes. Moments like Kevin Kline, the sex-ed kids, and the fun of falling in love make this a nice, humorous turn towards lovers lane.

Is it marketable? Not as much. The three directions make some uncomfortable as it doesn't go like most love stories, and one girl or another in the end will make some viewers very upset. Some tweaking and this would be a great movie, but as a romantic-comedy, it is uncomfortable outside of the cliche.

Is it memorable? Yes. The well-rounded cast (I can't think of an actor/actress not fit for their role), historical moments, and new approach make it unique and fun.

My suggestion: If you're single and wanting to see a movie about eventually finding good love, then watch it. If you have a date, see something else.