Definitely, Maybe (PG-13, 2008)

common sense media says

Teen-friendly romcom about love's ups and downs.


parents & educators say

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.

Positive messages: Characters are all flawed but very human, with mostly good intentions. Will and Maya's mom clearly care for her very much and want to protect her from their problems. One character cheats on another; another kisses someone when he's dating someone else. Some pressure for a journalist character to compromise her ethics. Lots of discussion of politics and ideals, particularly concerning Bill Clinton's presidency.
Violence: Some sharp words exchanged in a couple of scenes. Will breaks a bottle in anger.
Sex: Several scenes of passionate kissing, some of which take place in bed (though characters are never naked). Regular discussion of sex/sex life (or lack thereof); Will's roommate talks about his one-night stand, and Will mentions the possibility of a threesome or foursome at one point (prompting Maya to ask what that is). Characters cheat/stray. Sections from a character's college diary suggest a lesbian fling. TV footage from the Monica Lewinsky scandal. Early scenes show parents of grade schoolers upset because their kids have gotten a sex-ed lesson; this results in the kids (particularly Maya) talking about "penises" and "vaginas" and "thrusting" and asking questions about their parents' sex lives.
Language: Pretty mild; infrequent use of words like "ass," "bitch," and "hell." "S--t" is used a handful of times in one scene.
Consumerism: Brief appearances by Corona beer, Pepsi, NYC hotels and other landmarks. Specific cigarette brands are mentioned, and there's a quick reference to Quaker Oats/Froot Loops, but the biggest "brand" is Bill Clinton and the Democratic party.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Adult characters drink beer, wine, and liquor, mostly in social settings. A few scenes in which Will is obviously drunk (motivated by frustration over where he's at in life). Will and April both smoke in the early-'90s scenes (though present-day Will has quit and tells Maya that he was stupid to have ever smoked); in one scene, they bet each other whose cigarette will burn faster -- the ensuing "race" makes smoking seem glamorous and almost romantic. Some minor smoking by other characters.

More on Definitely, Maybe

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
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?

What's the story?

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?

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.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Universal Pictures
Director: Adam Brooks
Cast: Elizabeth Banks, Isla Fisher, Ryan Reynolds
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 105 minutes
Theatrical release: February 14, 2008
DVD release: June 23, 2008
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: sexual content, including some frank dialogue, language and smoking.
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This review was written by Betsy Bozdech
 
 

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What parents & educators say

Most useful reviews by all members

 
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!

tripmom
adult
 
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.

katiemay017
teen, 17 years old
 
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!!

gabgabcutie
teen, 14 years old
 
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.

Brunette_Babe
teen, 15 years old
 
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.

carebear<3
teen, 16 years old
 
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

rayman239
teen, 14 years old
 
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.

 
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.

 
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.

trustyourkids
teen, 16 years old
 
Not appropriate for children undre the age of at least 13
lots of sex involved. Human reproductive system mentioned by small children.

m1
teen, 16 years old
 
An Original, Yet Slow, Romantic Comedy
This is definitely one of the most original movies that I've ever seen. It is slow at parts, and the movie would've gotten at least 4 stars if her dad told her one part of the story to her per day for a certain amount of days.I never predicted the answer to the mystery, but after watching part of the ending, it made sense. There is a lot of nongraphic yet descriptive sexual dialogue in it, as well as repetitive kissing, drinking and smoking, and humor that is considered probably considered by parents to be mature. If you are 12 and up, see this movie! There's not much of Abigail Breslin in it, but a lot of romance.

tkfertig
parent of 11 and 13 year old
 
I feel sorry for this kid...
I would not recommend this movie. The entire film is about conversations between a father and daughter as she questions him about his past love life. Although I appreciate the open interaction between the two, the topic is way too adult for a child her age. Although parts of it were cute, I couldn't help feeling sad for this poor young girl who is being told too much, too soon and will probably end up in therapy.

tuckersgirl
teen, 15 years old
 
GOOD MOVIE
I don't think this was the best movie i have seen, but it was a very good "feel good" movie. There is a lot of talk about sex, but i guess thats the whole point of the movie, and the movie starts by maya learning about it, so it makes sence. There is some comercialism (dunkin' donuts, pepsi, marblo cigerettes{or something like that}). It's a good movie to see, but KNOW YOUR KID!!

blonde_reb
teen, 16 years old
 
Too Mature
I gave it a 14 and this is the bare minimum I would let your child see it. I saw it when I was younger and I thought it was cute. I bought it years later and didn't realize it had all the sexual stuff. When I first saw it, I was obviously way too young (about 12) to understand some of the sexual talk. Now, I am older and it doesn't really bother me but I would not let anyone younger than me see it. It is really cute and a different take on the average "chick flick" but I recommened older teens and adults only!

suzy3214
kid, 12 years old
 
Great movie
This is a very good movie but it is kind of slow.

goldforever21
teen, 14 years old
 
Good Movie, but not 4 kids 10 and younger
I love this movie, for it has an entertaining story concept and well-acted actors/actresses. It was fun to see which woman "Will" (Ryan Reynolds) would pick. I think there was some mature material and kissing scenes, but overall was a good movie.

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