|
| Definitely, Maybe [2008] | ![Definitely, Maybe [2008]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51mdweBZCLL._SL160_.jpg)
 enlarge | Director: Adam Brooks
Actors: Ryan Reynolds, Isla Fisher, Rachel Weisz, Elizabeth Banks
Studio: Universal Pictures UK
Category: DVD
List Price: £15.99
Buy New: £4.98
You Save: £11.01 (69%)
New (16) from £4.95
Avg. Customer Rating:  15 reviews
Sales Rank: 277
Format: Pal
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
Running Time: 107 minutes
Number Of Items: 1
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
EAN: 5050582550870
ASIN: B00165QO6W
Theatrical Release Date: 2008
Release Date: June 16, 2008
Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours
|
| Customer Reviews:
Pleasantly surprised August 5, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Definately, Maybe was a pleasant surprise. Despite an interesting-looking trailer, I thought it was just going to be your average, predictable rom-com, but I was wrong.
Sophisticated and funny, with believable characters and an interesting plot, the film follows Will Hayes telling the story of the 3 loves of his life to his young daughter. The cast are brilliant and create original, likeable characters, and the ending is not your typical finish.
Well worth watching. :)
 Time for a change June 24, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Finally, a romantic comedy that breaks the boundaries of cliched romantic flicks and has enjoyable characters, a plot that is exciting, mysterious and funny and with plenty of twists to justify the genre that is often slated for it's predictability.
Ryan Reynolds (Just Friends) stars as Will Hayes, a middle aged man who is coming close to a divorce and when his daughter asks about her mother, Will takes a look back at the past years of his life.
Don't judge the film by the trailer because there is so much more on offer. Though the trailer for the film would give a sense of predictability and humour, the film was a delightful surprise with its great precise dialogue and dramatic scenarios, giving an account of true realism, of real life and its complications with married people, and couples.
The plot is consistent with excellent twists and turns as Will dives deep into his relationship past, and there is always that great creativity about who it could be.
Unlike a lot of other rom-coms, this 2008 film actually invites the audience into it, trying to make them guess and wonder who Will may end up with, and who the mother of Mai could be, which makes the film very unique and rather not the same old "Will he get it together with her?" There are a few cliches there, but still it maintains a more realistic drama approach to differ it which made me enjoy it.
There are a few great one liners and a few chucklesome moments, not as funny as other romantic comedies, but that isn't the point of this film. The point was trying to maintain a realistic approach of relationships, which it did spot on.
There is great acting from all involved which goes brilliantly with the direction and settings used by director Brooks.
Other issues which were intriguing were the political side, with the election of Bill Clinton, and the views of all the characters in regards to him, which give the film different layers and points to consider.
9/10
Once Upon A Time.... June 19, 2008
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
"Once upon a time, before e-mail and cell phones and TV reality shows"
- Will Hayes (Ryan Reynolds) in DEFINITELY MAYBE
Once upon a time we all fell in love and we know and remember how good it felt. All of our senses were piqued and we thought that this love or even any of our loves would last forever. For some of us that was true and we were the lucky ones; and for others...well let us say that they were not so lucky; but most of them kept looking, hoping to find their soul mate or what they wanted to believe was the "real thing".
In the sweet romantic comedy DEFINITELY MAYBE, Albert Brooks has directed and written a winner. The movie sends a message to children of divorce which is heart felt; yet I don't believe that this movie is necessarily one for children. Maybe it is one for our grown up children, now adults, or others who may have gone through a divorce in their family and still somehow are trying to cope with the loss and move on.
Brooks has quite a few films like BRIDGET JONES: THE EDGE OF REASON, WIMBLETON, AND FRENCH KISS. But this little gem is different and an intelligent study into the history of love (for better or for worse).
While watching the film, I wondered how would you ever tell your daughter a historic rendition of your love life or tell her a bit about all of your leading ladies in your life if you were a father of a 10 year old girl like Maya Hayes who in this movie is played by Abigail Breslin . But this is exactly what happened. For of those of you not familiar with the young Ms. Breslin, she played a role in the movie LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE.
When one thinks of the prospect of relating such a history, the viewer has to feel a bit of trepidation for Will Hayes because along with this narrative will be revealed all of the bewildering aspects of life which are part of being in love. And you have to love our tormented father because he tells the story in such a way so as not to destroy his daughter's belief in the power of love, and not to deprive her of a happy ending. Will wants to preserve her belief that there is a soul mate for her or even not so perfect spouse who is still just so right and perfect for her.
One thing Will tried to not do was to shatter her dreams with all of the ugly truths that are part of life; but some of those fell out along the way. One of Maya's revelations was when she said, "Dad, I can't believe you smoked, you drank, and you were a sl#*." Some of us might think that this is quite the language for a nice 10-year-old girl and some might think it was funny. But this sort of language and some of the other innuendoes may make this not a film for your children; but you have to be the judge.
There is a lot of flashback in the movie and one has to believe that these present day characters were about 10 - 15 years younger at the time. It is a stretch but when you watch a movie you are always drawn into this kind of make believe so you are easily strung along. Will (Ryan Reynolds) goes though his litany of failed or uncompleted loves and one has to wonder how he managed to afford the tokens of love which he produced. It is all in good fun and in the right spirit and is an intelligent probing of why folks fall in love and with whom and at what time in their lives.
Emily, Summer, April or any other names that mark the passages of love in one's life would be appropriate for all of us; and these names could be interchanged with male ones if a woman and the story would still be anyone's story. Any one of us could probably tell similar tales which we have buried somewhere deep in our psyche; what makes this movie nice is that it puts it all out there for you to be able to let go of what might have been and seize the moment of what is.
Like our protagonist says, " Once upon a time.....
Recommend: B-
Bentley/2008
pass the parcel June 18, 2008
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
This film is the cinematic equivalent of pass the parcel...as each layer is unwrapped the anticipation builds as you look forward to the prize being revealed.
A warm and touching film not without its share of laughs.
An unexpected Surprise June 12, 2008
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
I went to see this as I had arrived and the film I wanted to see was sold out until the next showing. What I found was a nice, gentle film that avoided the usual stereotypical Hollywood plot. The way the film looks at his relationships and doesn't resort to making the normal family judgements was nice. I was keen to see who the girl's mother was and who Ryan Reynolds character ended up with.
The ending was positive and not what I expected. A great ending in the days of so many divorces and break-ups. Overall a positive, well acted tale with great actresses and a solid performance from Ryan Reynolds. Sorry, but I'm not a great fan of cute kid actors so While Abigail Breslin was good, not a reason to enjoy or see the film.
|
|
|
Powered by Associate-O-Matic
| |
