What Do The Critics Say?

"Enjoyable, emotionally engaging and frequently amusing romcom with a charming central performance from Ryan Reynolds and superb support from Abigail Breslin and the three lead actresses." Matthew Turner VIEW LONDON "Nostalgic, warm, bittersweet, and thoroughly entertaining, 'Definitely Maybe' earns a place on my list of favorite contemporary romantic comedies." Betty jo Tucker REELTALK "The movie offers very real pleasures. Reynolds has terrific chemistry with everyone, and watching him romance three of Hollywood's more intelligent, beguiling comediennes is a pleasure." M.E. Russell OREGONIAN "Definitely, Maybe, written and directed by Adam Brooks, is a nimble and winning little romance." A.O Scott NEW YORK TIMES "A romantic comedy with brains as well as heart, Definitely, Maybe is that rare studio release that feels like it was written by a human being, not by committee." Steven Rea PHILADELPHIA ENQUIRER

"I let my guard down and was completely surprised by the sweet, happy finale, which Brooks and his cast definitely earn." Sean O'Connell FILMCRITIC.COM "If you're looking for a movie that isn't just the same old, same old, "Definitely, Maybe" is definitely the movie for you." Sean McBride SEAN THE MOVIE GUY "The big news here is the intelligence, the balance, the real romance in Definitely, Maybe. No, it doesn't follow the formula. And really, how cool is that?" Tom Long DETROIT NEWS "Definitely, Maybe adds some welcome spice to a genre that rarely ventures beyond the predictable anymore." Chris Kaltenbach BALTIMOTE SUN "A nice, entertaining little movie, something we see far too few of at this time of year." Ken Hanke MOUNTAIN XPRESS "Definitely, Maybe is a romantic comedy you don’t have to feel embarrassed to embrace. Except for the versatile and hugely talented Kevin Kline, nobody connected with Definitely, Maybe has had much previous success in movies, but Ryan Reynolds has learned a lot about acting since dressing up junk like National Lampoon’s "Van Wilder", "Smokin’ Aces" and the "Amityville Horror" remake. For the first time, he adds up to more than just another pretty face. The three women are as superb as they are beautiful." Rex Reed NEW YORK OBSERVER

The Inside Story "Definitely, Maybe" was born a few years ago, when writer/director Adam Brooks decided to pen a love story that spanned more than one decade. "There used to be a tradition of movies that took place over a long period of time," the filmmaker said, "and what I loved about them was how much you would get invested in the characters because of the long span of the story." The romantic comedy Brooks envisioned, along with its unusual twist of a male protagonist driving the story, was given a complicated setting: the world of politics. "I like the tradition of romantic comedies that have a bigger backdrop than just the love story that’s going on: a movie like Broadcast News, for example," adds Brooks. "I always wanted to do a story about a young man coming to the big city with all his hopes and dreams." As a screenwriter, Brooks had previously collaborated with the U.K. based Working Title Films on several projects, including "Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason", "Wimbledon" and "French Kiss". His long-time collaborators approached him with the idea of not only writing, but also directing his next romantic comedy. The production company, headed by Eric Fellner and Tim Bevan, has recently produced such films as "Atonement", "United 93", "Mr Bean's Holiday", "Love Actually", "The Interpreter", "Notting Hill" and "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" It has remained important for Fellner and Bevan to offer filmmakers, as Fellner summarized, "“studio resources with the filmmaking attitude of an independent." Brooks's latest project was no exception. "If you find talented people; writers or directors or actors, and you work with them on a regular basis," Fellner explained. "it just goes like an incredible shorthand with a trust that develops." Brooks's collaborators approached him with the idea of not only writing, but also directing his next romantic comedy. They agreed it would, in no way, be generic or formulaic. "They’re my movie home," Brooks describes. "I write with total confidence and trust when I’m working with them. And I know that when you’re developing a movie with Working Title, there’s a very good chance that it's going to get made." Working Title’s Liza Chasin ("Pride & Prejudice" & "Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason") had already worked with Brooks on eight projects and would serve as executive producer on "Definitely, Maybe". She describes the decision for Brooks to direct as an easy one, surmising, "It was a natural progression in the relationship that he was going to direct the next project." Fellner agreed that Brooks was the correct choice to helm "Definitely, Maybe". "He came up with it; he created it; he knew it," says Fellner. "We were keen for him to have that opportunity." Most critical in casting the players was to start with the film's central character, aspiring politico Will Hayes. With his work as FBI Special Agent Richard Messner in Working Title’s 2007 action-thriller "Smokin’ Aces", actor Ryan Reynolds had duly impressed the company filmmakers. They suggested Brooks consider him for the films central character. "Ryan can do comedy; he can do drama," Fellner said. "We had just done "Smokin’ Aces", and the studio and I thought that he’s definitely a major star." When Brooks first met Reynolds, the director was struck by the actor’s take on Will Hayes, especially his comment "It's like a Jimmy Stewart part." Brooks pointed out "that’s always how I had imagined it. What I sensed when I met him was an immediate appeal and an everyman quality that is hard to find." Reynolds’ versatility was key to his landing the role of Will. Brooks was full of praise for Reynolds. "I think Ryan has that ability to be absolutely convincing in the world that he creates around him, and yet still have impeccable comic timing." For Reynolds, "Definitely, Maybe" was a departure from other comedic roles he had undertaken. "I always say it’s a romantic whodunits. With most romantic comedies, you can see where they’re going by page two. This is one that I had no idea what was going to happen until the last page," he said. To pursue his career, Reynolds chatacter Will leaves the Midwest to pursue his political dreams in the 'Big Apple'. Here, three women will influence his life. One of the three is about to divorce him. One of the three is the mother of his ten year old daughter, Maya. Academy Award ® winning actress Rachel Weisz ("The Constant Gardener") was cast as Summer Hartley. "We are always looking for things for Rachel," says Fellner. "She’s very funny; she’s got a great sense of humor and a very light touch." Brooks notes, "Rachel has an aura, charisma and power to her that the character of Summer demanded." "Summer is a character who doesn’t really care what people think of her," says Weiszt. "She’s very bold, and she’s very ambitious and carefree." Another woman in Will’s life is April, an apparently unmotivated nonconformist whom Will meets while working at the presidential campaign headquarters. Unlike the others at the office, April works there simply to earn money. She is, however, quite eager to share her strong opinions with Will. "For April, we knew we needed somebody who was a complete spitfire and a force of nature," recalls executive producer Bobby Cohen ("Memoirs of a Geisha" & "The Cider House Rules". "The character of April is unlike anyone Will has ever met: passionate, caustic, brilliant." For April, Brooks met with 2006 MTV Movie Award winner Australian actress Isla Fisher ("Wedding Crashers"), whose earlier comedic work had impressed him. "I was very excited to meet her, because she was great in Wedding Crashers," Brooks recalled. "After spending an hour with her, I knew that she was right for the part. It was not just her firecracker sense of humor, but the particular way she looked at things and how she talked about the story." "What I love most about April is that she’s sassy and feisty and she says what she thinks," the former star of "Home and Away" said. "Will and April have a very Spencer Tracy/ Katherine Hepburn-esque relationship. It’s very combative, but there's a lot of sexual tension and a lot of love between them." Not only was Fisher attracted to the character, she felt that Brooks’ script had something to offer that was not rife with clichés. Fisher (whose first name is pronounced Eye-Lah), notes "Definitely, Maybe" is a "movie about love. It’s about romantic love, unrequited love, paternal love, lost love and the love between friends." For the role of Emily, Will’s college sweetheart, the filmmakers cast 2003 Young Hollywood Award winner Elizabeth Banks ("Seabiscuit" & "Invincible"). The versatile actress quickly won over the filmmakers with her interpretation of what could easily be a stock character. "Elizabeth is a great storyteller," Brooks noted. "She has this ability to be absolutely real and touching and funny." For Banks, "Definitely, Maybe" stood out in its sharp prose, specifically the choices Brooks made for his female characters. "It's hard to find really well-written female characters to play," she stated. "And this movie has three great ones;all different, yet complementary, which make the story so much more complex and interesting." To play the role of Will’s best friend, Russell McCormack, Working Title's producers, two time London Critics Circle Film Award winner Tim Bevan C.B.E.("Elizabeth" & "United 93") and two time BAFTA Film Award winner Eric Fellner ("Atonement" & "Elizabeth") suggested another actor with whom they had had a successful collaboration: Derek Luke. "We had just done Catch a Fire," says Fellner. "And Derek had been brilliant in it." Luke, who made his debut in Denzel Washington's Antwone Fisher (coincidently Washington's directorial debut), agreed to take the role, drawn to the fact that "these are two different men from two different backgrounds, but they have the same dream," notes Luke. "Russell, being a very goal-oriented person, gives Will a sense of focus. I believe Will gives Russell a dose of reality with all his dreams and goals." The final character who looms large in Will’s life is his daughter Maya. "One of the wonderful elements of this movie is that it is as much a love story between Will and his daughter, Maya, as it is between Will and April or Summer or Emily," says Cohen. The search for the right actor to play Maya was quite streamlined after the filmmakers saw the acclaimed comedy "Little Miss Sunshine", for which Abigail Breslin received an Oscar ® nomination for her role as Olive Hoover, a young beauty pageant hopeful surrounded by a chaotic family. "Like everyone, we were completely blown away by Abby’s performance," says Chasin. "She’s really an amazing young actress: unbelievably focused and tireless and funny," notess Brooks. "The qualities we were looking for in all the actors, she has as a 10 year old. There just didn’t seem like anybody who could touch her in those departments." Breslin, who worked in her hometown of New York City throughout the shoot, describes "Definitely, Maybe" as a film about change. "I think it’s about forgiving people and moving on; and just going forward," she says. Maya not only listens to her father’s story, but also interjects comments and observations throughout the tale. "She’s, in her own way, a little sassy. Maya’s very opinionated." Reynolds notes: "Abby just sees everything. This little girl is a sponge. The thing that I love most about working with kids like her is that you can’t slide anything past them. You know you can’t lie. It keeps you on your toes." On working with Fisher he said, "There’s a mystery about her, and there’s something wonderfully challenging." Synopsis

Will Hayes is a thirty something Manhattan dad in the midst of a divorce when his 10-year-old daughter Maya, starts to question him about his life before marriage. Maya wants to know absolutely everything. Will's story begins in 1992, as a young, starry-eyed aspiring politician who moves to New York from Wisconsin in order to work on the presidential campaign. Will re-lives his past as an idealistic young man learning the ins and outs of big city politics, and recounts the history of his romantic relationships with three very different women. Will hopelessly attempts a gentler version of his story for his daughter and changes the names so Maya has to guess who is the woman her father finally married. Is her mother Will's college sweetheart, the dependable girl next door Emily; his longtime best friend and confidante, the apolitical April, or is she the free-spirited but ambitious journalist Summer?

The Verdict "A super cast, headed by Ryan Reynolds, Isla Ficher and Abigail Breslin, makes "Definitely, Maybe" a real pleasure to watch. Yes it is a romantic comedy, but it's a big departure from what the studios have been feeding cinemagoers of late. "Definitely, Maybe" is smart, sassy, at times very funny, but most importantly, it's very entertaining. While he does very well in the lead role, the film is not Reynolds alone. Isla Fisher gives an attention grabbing performance as does Kevin Kline. The support cast, comprising the star of "Little Miss Sunshine", 2007 Screen Actors Guild Award winner Abigail Breslin; "Antwone Fisher" star Derek Luke; Oscar winner Rachel Weisz and, Young Hollywood Award winner Elizabeth Banks, give more than ample performances. Easy to recommended. 4 STARS." Cast & Crew Bytes "DEFINITELY, MABYE" stars .......
Ryan Reynolds ["Waiting", "Just Friends" and "Smokin' Aces"]; Isla Fisher ["Scooby-Doo", "Wedding Crashers" and "The Lookout"]; Rachel Weisz ["Runaway Jury", "The Constant Gardener" and "Fred Claus"]; Elizabeth Banks ["The 40 Year Old Virgin", "Slither" and "Spider-Man 3"]; Abigail Breslin ["Little Miss Sunshine", "The Santa Clause 3" and "No Reservations"]; Kevin Kline ["Life As A House", "De-Lovely" and "A Prairie Home Companion"]; Kevin Corrigan ["The Departed", "Superbad" and "American Gangster"] and Derek Luke ["Pieces Of April", "Catch A Fire" and "Lions for Lambs"] as Russell McCormack.
"DEFINITELY, MABYE" was .......
directed by Adam Brooks ["Almost You", "Red Riding Hood" and "The Invisible Circus"]; screenplay by Adam Brooks ["Practical Magic", "Wimbledon" and "Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason"]; art direction by Peter Rogness ["The Shipping News", "The Producers" and "Across the Universe"]; costume design by Gary Jones ["Dressed to Kill", "Spider-Man 2", "The Princess Diaries 2" and "Georgia Rule"]; production design by Stephanie Carroll ["The Ice Storm", "Runaway Bride" and "Monsoon Wedding"]; edited by Peter Teschner ["Charlie's Angels", "Legally Blonde 2" and "Borat"]; director of photography Florian Ballhaus ["Sandman", "Flightplan" and "The Devil Wears Prada"]; original music by Clint Mansell ["Sahara", "Trust The Man" and "Smokin' Aces"]. Who's Who?

Ryan Reynolds Isla Fisher Rachel Weisz Elizabeth Banks Abigail Breslin Kevin Kline Kevin Corrigan Derek Luke Alexie Gilmore Annie Parisse Cheryl Cosenza Liane Balaban Nestor Serrano Sakina Jaffrey Emily Wickersham An Nguyen Carey Hope Adam Ferrara Jaime Tirelli

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Will Hayes April Summer Emily Maya Hayes Hampton Roth Rafael Russell Olivia Anne Secretary Kelly Robredo Mary Assistant Jennifer Waitress Gareth Simon

Run Time 112 minutes Rated PG [AUST] Copyright ©2008 - UPI - All Rights Reserved ©2008 All Rights Reserved - The Movie Pages & Impact Internet Services - Protected by Australian, International, Copyright & Trademark Laws.