Definitely, Maybe

Definitely, Maybe

Company type	Film
Industry	Entertainment
Founded	February 14, 2008 (2008-02-14)
Founder	Adam Brooks
Products	Romantic comedy film

Definitely, Maybe is a 2008 romantic comedy film both penned and directed by Adam Brooks. The movie features performances by Ryan Reynolds, Isla Fisher, Rachel Weisz, among others.

Set against the backdrop of New York City, the narrative centers on a former political strategist who shares stories of his previous romantic involvements with his daughter, aiming to clarify the reasons behind his upcoming divorce.

The film premiered on February 14, 2008, garnered $55 million globally, and was met with favorable reviews from critics.

Plot

Will Hayes, employed at an advertising agency in New York City, is in the process of divorcing his wife Sarah. His 10-year-old daughter Maya inquires about how her parents met, prompting Will to recount his earlier romantic experiences—altering names and details—to allow Maya to identify which woman is her mother.

In 1992, following his graduation from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Will parts ways with his college girlfriend "Emily Jones" to join Bill Clinton’s presidential campaign in NYC. There, he encounters "April Hoffman," a fellow campaign staffer, and delivers a package to "Summer Hartley," who is Emily’s college friend. The package contains Summer's diary, unveiling her brief relationship with Emily. Summer, who is involved with her professor Hampton Roth, unexpectedly kisses Will.

Will intends to propose to Emily; April responds ambiguously with “Definitely, maybe.” At April’s apartment, he notices her collection of Jane Eyre editions inscribed by her deceased father. They share a kiss but Will abruptly departs. Emily then arrives and admits she has slept with his roommate, urging him to move forward.

Following Clinton’s election victory, Will establishes a political consulting firm alongside his friend Russell and maintains close ties with April during her travels. He reconnects with Summer, now working as a journalist, and they begin dating.

April returns with plans to confess her love but discovers Will preparing to propose to Summer. After Summer publishes an article that harms Will’s candidate’s campaign despite his objections, their relationship ends. The article damages both the campaign and Will’s professional standing.

Years later, April reestablishes contact during Will’s period of depression and organizes a birthday party that reunites former colleagues. A drunken admission leads to tension between them.

Upon finding the inscribed copy of Jane Eyre in a bookstore, Will visits April but withdraws when he meets her boyfriend Kevin. He later learns that Summer is expecting a child and reconnects with Emily.

Maya figures out that "Emily" represents her mother Sarah. Will reassures Maya that she embodies the story’s happy conclusion before finalizing his divorce.

While unpacking in his new residence, Will discovers April’s book and apologizes for not returning it sooner; she asks him to leave. Encouraged by Maya, Will visits April once more; after overhearing their exchange, April invites them inside. The film concludes with Will and April reconciling through a kiss.

Music

The soundtrack was composed by English musician Clint Mansell, with the album released by Lakeshore Records on March 18, 2008. Critic William Ruhlmann praised the score for its "sweet, melodic numbers" that enhance the film’s lighthearted atmosphere.

Prominent tracks featured include Nirvana's "Come as You Are" and Maroon 5's "Nothing Lasts Forever."

Release

The movie premiered with an opening weekend gross of $9.8 million, playing in 2,204 theaters throughout the United States and Canada, securing the fifth position at the box office. Its total global earnings reached $56 million.

The DVD became available on June 24, 2008, featuring a widescreen format, deleted scenes, two behind-the-scenes featurettes, and commentary tracks by both Ryan Reynolds and director Adam Brooks.

Reception

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has earned a 71% approval rating from 148 critics, with an average score of 6.5 out of 10. The site's consensus praises its witty screenplay and engaging performances as a revitalizing entry in the romantic comedy genre. Meanwhile, Metacritic assigns it a score of 59 out of 100 based on 33 reviews, suggesting mixed or average critical reception. Audience feedback collected by CinemaScore resulted in a "B+" grade.

Dennis Harvey of Variety characterized the film as "charmingly unconventional," noting its appeal and emotional layers despite not achieving blockbuster status. A.O. Scott from The New York Times described it as "a nimble and delightful romance." Claudia Puig of USA Today commended its elegance within the romantic comedy category.

Stephen Farber at The Hollywood Reporter provided a somewhat mixed critique but highlighted the cast's magnetism, particularly emphasizing Ryan Reynolds' potential as a leading actor.

In 2021, Caroline Siede of The A.V. Club referred to the film as "underrated," pointing out that it represented a turning point for Reynolds from sarcastic roles to more heartfelt performances. She drew parallels between its storyline and that of How I Met Your Mother, with influences from High Fidelity, applauding its innovative take on traditional romantic comedy themes.