Maybe I Do

Movie review by Sandie Angulo Chen, Common Sense Media
Maybe I Do Movie Poster showing stars Diane Keaton, Richard Gere, William H. Macy, and Susan Sarandon on the border and Emma Roberts and Luke Bracey embracing in the middle

Common Sense says

age 13+

Despite great cast, romcom is neither romantic nor funny.

PG-13 2023 95 minutes
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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Maybe I Do is a romantic comedy starring Emma Roberts and Luke Bracey (who previously co-starred in the romcom Holidate) as a couple on the brink of engagement who decide to have their parents meet for the first time. But it turns out that the four -- played by Richard Gere, Diane Keaton, Susan Sarandon, and William H. Macy -- already know one another for less-than-appropriate reasons. Expect brief strong language (one "f--k," plus "ass" and "s--t"), as well one character sounding vaguely threatening in his demand for a drink. One scene has two men raising their fists at each other, but they don't end up fighting. Two early scenes involve characters cheating on their partners: One couple is shown in bed together in a hotel, with one wearing nothing but a robe. Another couple goes to a motel, but the characters connect emotionally rather than physically. Adults drink at celebrations.

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What's the Story?

MAYBE I DO begins by introducing all of its key characters. Grace (Diane Keaton) meet-cutes Sam (William H. Macy) during a movie in which she sits next to him out of empathy after he cries so much that he has to move rows. Howard (Richard Gere) is in a hotel room bed with Monica (Susan Sarandon). And, at a wedding, bridesmaid Michelle (Emma Roberts) and groomsman Allen (Luke Bracey) fight after he intercepts the bouquet that's headed right at her. Only, Grace is married to Howard, and Allen is married to Monica. This becomes an issue after Michelle and Allen's post-wedding fight leads them both to retreat to their parents' homes, and they ultimately agree to have their parents meet. It quickly becomes clear that Howard and Monica and Grace and Sam know one another better than Michelle and Allen could have ever imagined. As the older couples come to terms with how they're all connected, their marriages are tested -- just as their children are deciding what to do about their own relationship.

Is It Any Good?

A talented cast that features four excellent septuagenerian actors can't save this adultery-themed romantic comedy from missing the mark. Starting the movie with all three relationships in various states of distress makes it a bit hard to see what's funny about a bunch of physical or emotional cheaters who are about to become in-laws. The young couple, played by Roberts and Bracey (who shared a lot of chemistry in the formulaic but fun romcom Holidate), is relegated to the background as their parents muddle through a cringe-worthy night together. In fact, the young lovers can't summon the energy to even stay for the entire evening of embarrassing confusion and brutal honesty. Sarandon's Monica is a condescending snob who's almost too eager to out Howard's infidelity (she has no problem humiliating her own husband, Sam). Meanwhile, gentler, kinder mom Grace is horrified that she and Sam had an emotional (but technically celibate) one-night-stand reminiscing, walking, talking, and connecting.

Somehow, according to writer-director Michael Jacobs' slim script, all of this unfaithfulness leads to the strengthening of bonds and marriage(s). Without spoiling the end, it's safe to say that audiences won't really root for any of the re-arranged couples, especially since it means years of awkward holiday meals and family reunions. Ultimately, despite the award-winning 70-something leads, there's just not much plot or character development to make this messy premise work. By the bittersweet end, the cast's happier-than-they-were-before status will likely mean very little to most viewers, who would probably be better off watching most of the actors' previous movies.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about whether Maybe I Do is a typical romantic comedy. What do films in this genre often have in common? How does this one compare?

  • What do you think about the various relationships in the movie? Which ones are healthy? Which aren't?

  • Who, if anyone, do you consider a role model in the movie? Do movies and TV shows need to have positive messages and role models to be worth watching?

  • Discuss the fact that the movie features four older actors. How is this an example of positive representation? Why is it important to show older characters in popular culture?

Movie Details

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