Definitely, MaybeMovie Reviews

Poster art for "Definitely, Maybe."

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So-so
Avg. Critic Score: 59 out of 100 Mixed or average reviews Metascore® based on all critic reviews
Information for Parents:
14 OK for kids 14+
Read Common Sense Media review

Critic scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 75
    San Francisco Chronicle | Mick LaSalle

    A sophisticated story of disappointment and accommodation. Read full review

  • 75
    Entertainment Weekly | Lisa Schwarzbaum

    Absolutely, probably more comfortable with human romantic complication than the usual stuff released on Valentine's Day. Read full review

  • 70
    Variety | Dennis Harvey

    A pleasingly non-formulaic romantic seriocomedy, Definitely, Maybe has charm and some depth. Read full review

  • 70
    The New York Times | A.O. Scott

    A nimble and winning little romance Read full review

  • 63
    USA Today | Claudia Puig

    It's generally enjoyable, amusing and more sophisticated than most films in this genre. Read full review

  • 60
    The Hollywood Reporter |

    The film is far from a complete washout, and this is chiefly a tribute to its immensely attractive and appealing cast. Ryan Reynolds proves to have the stuff of a true leading. man. Read full review

  • 60
    Los Angeles Times | Kenneth Turan

    This is a film bound and determined to do whatever it takes to be your Valentine. If it had trusted itself more, it might even have succeeded. Read full review

  • 50
    Rolling Stone | Peter Travers

    To sum up, Definitely, Maybe is crap with compensations. Read full review

  • 50
    Washington Post |

    Definitely an overlong exercise in the concept of kismet, and maybe it's just what you want, in lieu of chocolates. Read full review

  • 30
    Wall Street Journal | Joe Morgenstern

    There's no maybe about its standing as romantic comedy -- definitely bad. Read full review

View more reviews for Definitely, Maybe on Metacritic

Information for Parents
Common Sense Media says OK for kids 14+ Teen-friendly romcom about love's ups and downs.
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.
  • 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?
The good stuff
  • message true0 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.
What to watch for
  • violence false0 Violence: Some sharp words exchanged in a couple of scenes. Will breaks a bottle in anger.
  • sex false3 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 false0 Language: Pretty mild; infrequent use of words like "ass," "bitch," and "hell." "S--t" is used a handful of times in one scene.
  • consumerism false0 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.
  • drugsalcoholtobacco false3 Drinking, drugs and 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.
An independent nonprofit dedicated to providing families the information they need to help kids thrive in a world of media and technology. © Common Sense Media Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.

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