 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Definitely, Maybe
- Review Date: February 13, 2008
- PG-13
- Genre: Comedy
- 2008
Common Sense Media says
Teen-friendly romcom about love's ups and downs.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this thoughtful romantic comedy about flawed adult characters isn't as clear-cut as many other Hollywood "chick flicks." For that reason, it's likely to resonate more with adults than teens and tweens who haven't gone through complicated relationships yet. Still, the content isn't inappropriate for teens: There's some passionate kissing and a good bit of discussion about sex (including implications of a lesbian college fling and passing mention of a threesome), but nothing graphic; language is mostly on the mild side ("s--t" is only used in one scene, though it carries a lot of weight when it is used); and there's no violence. Several scenes do feature social drinking (a few also show Will drunk) and smoking; one sequence in particular makes sharing a cigarette break seem like a romantic, intimate experience. Divorce is also an issue here; the main character's tween daughter is upset by her parents' impending split and wants them to reconcile.
What's the story?
On the brink of divorce, ad exec William Hayes (Ryan Reynolds) is put on the spot by his young daughter Maya (Abigail Breslin) when she demands to know how he and her mom fell in love (clearly, she's hoping that if he's reminded, they'll reconcile). He agrees to tell the story but turns it into a mystery, adding in details of his two other serious romances and changing names so Maya won't know which one's her mom. The action then flashes back to 1992, with eager young Will moving to New York City to volunteer for Bill Clinton's presidential campaign while maintaining a long-distance relationship with college sweetheart Emily (Elizabeth Banks). He meets pert fellow volunteer April (Isla Fisher) and sophisticated aspiring writer Summer (Rachel Weisz) early on, but has no idea how entangled he'll end up getting with both. As the '90s unfold, so does Will's love life, with the ups and downs keeping Maya -- and viewers -- guessing.
Is it any good?
DEFINITELY, MAYBE is a refreshing change of pace from run-of-the-mill Hollywood romantic comedies, where it's all-too-often clear which characters will end up together from the order that their names appear in the credits. While it's certainly possible to guess which of the three women Will will end up with, the movie doesn't make it a foregone conclusion -- as in life, love itself isn't always enough, and bad timing has a way of screwing things up. That said, the movie doesn't have the same kind of sparkling charm of a film like Love Actually or the appealing frankness of one like About a Boy; it prompts more smiles than outright laughs (many of the latter are thanks to the '90s "nostalgia" that permeates the film), and the ending ultimately seems a little bit pat -- though some of the scenes leading up to it are sentimental enough for the sappiest romantic.
Reynolds is a pleasant surprise as Will; better known for his snarkiness than his heart, the actor proves he has more than witty wisecracks up his sleeve, coming off as a very believable guy who wants to find real love but keeps getting it wrong. Breslin, as always, is bright eyed and cute as a button -- she doesn't have as much to do here as she did in Little Miss Sunshine, but she makes the most of her story-driving role. The three leading ladies are also appealing -- Banks and Fisher have had more broadly comic roles in mainstream movies before, so it's nice to see them getting a chance to do some more subtle work. All in all, Definitely, Maybe is well-executed charming, if not a classic, and it should warm the cockles of any chick flick-lover's heart.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about what makes this movie different from other romantic comedies. Does it seem more realistic than others in the genre? Why or why not? How do you usually know which characters will end up together? Do those "rules" apply here? What messages is the movie sending about love, romance, and commitment? Do you think there's one "right" person for everyone? Do you think the movie is saying that? Families can also discuss how smoking is portrayed in the movie. What role does it play in Will and April's relationship? Does that make it seem positive or negative?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
amazing
This movie is absoluetely amazing! Best ever!! The cast is well and it has a wonderful storyline! I reccomend any kid 10 and up to see this movie!
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
I enjoyed this movie, but TALK to your kids
My 12 1/2 year old and I went to see this with a couple friends and their 12 1/2 to 13 year old daughters. We all enjoyed it, but it is important to discuss with them what they have seen, like what the characters did right and wrong, or if there was anything that bothered them in the movie. Be careful, my kid is as young as I would go on this movie.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Great movie! (isla fisher is awesome)
I LOVE this move, and think the characters are great and so is the plot. its fun to see the characters change over the years and i absolutley LOVE April (isla fisher) shes fun loving and interesting. Abigail Breslin is very good in this film and the Se* stuff isnt that bad, there isnt some comments and kissing bit other than that its fine. SEE THIIS MOVIE!!
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Ok
Ok I turned it off within the first hour beacuse of the sexual content. Over all pretty boring with way to much sexual stuff.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
It was kinda slow...
Overall it was pretty good, but it was boring at some parts. I just wanted to get to the end! There's really nothing bad in this movie, just kissing, but they discussed sex a little and there was a scene at the beginning where a whole bunch of kids were talking about it for some reason (I didn't understand). There's a lot of Bill Clinton in the movie, and the characters smoke and drink a little.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
I Left...
This movie was iffy at the begining but then it became so wrong that I felt uncofortable just watching it (the two girls kissing and touching in th notebook) I left before the movie was even over, I think the movie should be rated R
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Cute and Tender Romantic Comedy from the Beloved Creator of Notting Hill and Love Actually, Better for Teens, but Certain 12-year olds should be fine.
Sexual innuendo, such as same-sex relationships being referenced in the reading of a diary, A girl learns sex-ed in her school, so there is a few minutes where she makes comments about that to her father, some involving her mother. Very mild language, A bit of product placement, no violence.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
WOW!
I went to see this movie with my grandmother, mom and my Aunt. I left in the begining of the movie because of the language and the sex talk that went on! This eight year old girl in the begining is talking vividly about what happens during sexual intercourse because her teacher told her about it.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
cute but disturbing
I will agree that the story line is a cute one, however parts of the beginning were totally uncalled for. For starters a school would have never had a sex ed class without a parents concent form and then to have the discussion between the father and daughter with the daughter talking about the penis thrusting into the vagina. For this scene alone I would never suggest or beable to show this movie to my children or friends. That scene didn't even need to be in the movie, it had no relavence to the movie's success or cuteness.
Was this review useful?
|
|
| Studio: | Universal Pictures |
| Director: | Adam Brooks |
| Cast: | Elizabeth Banks, Isla Fisher, Ryan Reynolds |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 105 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | February 14, 2008 |
| DVD release date: | June 23, 2008 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | sexual content, including some frank dialogue, language and smoking |
Review It
Video review
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
Already seen it? What do you think?
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
