(Isla Fisher, Ryan Reynolds in Definitely, Maybe )
Tinseltown pumps out yet another easy-to-digest rom-com. At least this one won’t rot your teeth with its feel-good syrup.
Will Hayes (Ryan Reynolds) is a soon-to-be single dad who takes on the task of explaining to his daughter (Abigail Breslin) why her parents don’t love each other anymore. Needless to say, Will’s uttering of the line, “It’s complicated,” doesn’t cut it. Because the kid might be 11 years old, but she’s also played by Abigail Breslin – a child actor whose precocious levels outdo even Dakota Fanning’s. Responsible parent that Will is, he decides to tell his little girl the story of how he and mom first met.
Ryan Reynolds makes a rare outing where his performance engages rather than repulses. Prone to over-reaching with his school-boy charm, here Reynolds is sufficiently restrained – even subtle when needed. Abigail Breslin once again validates the frequent and wide-swept praise that has marked her young career.
Aside from the Reynolds-Breslin chemistry, Definitely, Maybe’s standout performance belongs to Australian actress Isla Fisher. As the fiery April, Fisher manages to steal the movie despite only appearing intermittently.
Elizabeth Banks and Rachel Weisz round out the cast (the latter giving a much-needed understated performance to obliterate memories of My Blueberry Nights), with Kevin Klein popping up in a small role.
Definitely, Maybe is a strong example of the rom-com genre, but it tallies to the usual conventions nonetheless. While you’re not in danger of getting any cavities, you’re still in for a good deal of saccharine fuzz.
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