Definitely, Maybe
Stream
Rent & Buy
When Will decides to tell his daughter the story of how he met her mother, he discovers that a second look at the past might also give him a second chance at the future.
What critics thought
A romantic comedy with more sophistication and structural cleverness than the genre norm, though critics were split on whether that ambition fully pays off — some found genuine charm and depth, while others saw a film that reaches third base without quite scoring. A 2021 retrospective piece made the case that the film has grown in reputation since its release, pointing to Ryan Reynolds's performance as a pivot from ironic detachment to something more earnest.
“A pleasingly non-formulaic romantic seriocomedy, Definitely, Maybe has charm and some depth, even if it's ultimately more a third-base hit than a home run.”
Dennis Harvey·Variety
“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.”
Stephen Farber·The Hollywood Reporter
“It's generally enjoyable, amusing and more sophisticated than most films in this genre.”
Claudia Puig·USA Today
“A nimble and winning little romance”
A.O. Scott·The New York Times
Genres
Comedy, Drama, Romance
Cast & Crew
Adam BrooksDirector
Ryan ReynoldsWill Hayes
Abigail BreslinMaya Hayes
Elizabeth BanksEmily
Isla FisherApril
Rachel WeiszSummer Hartley
Kevin KlineHampton Roth
Derek LukeRussell McCormack
Liane BalabanKelly
Annie ParisseAnne
Nestor SerranoArthur
Kevin CorriganRafael
An NguyenAd Exec
Clint MansellComposer
Florian BallhausCinematographyDefinitely, Maybe
When Will decides to tell his daughter the story of how he met her mother, he discovers that a second look at the past might also give him a second chance at the future.
What critics thought
A romantic comedy with more sophistication and structural cleverness than the genre norm, though critics were split on whether that ambition fully pays off — some found genuine charm and depth, while others saw a film that reaches third base without quite scoring. A 2021 retrospective piece made the case that the film has grown in reputation since its release, pointing to Ryan Reynolds's performance as a pivot from ironic detachment to something more earnest.
“A pleasingly non-formulaic romantic seriocomedy, Definitely, Maybe has charm and some depth, even if it's ultimately more a third-base hit than a home run.”
Dennis Harvey·Variety
“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.”
Stephen Farber·The Hollywood Reporter
“It's generally enjoyable, amusing and more sophisticated than most films in this genre.”
Claudia Puig·USA Today
“A nimble and winning little romance”
A.O. Scott·The New York Times
Genres
Comedy, Drama, Romance
Cast & Crew
Adam BrooksDirectorRyan ReynoldsWill HayesAbigail BreslinMaya HayesElizabeth BanksEmilyIsla FisherAprilRachel WeiszSummer HartleyKevin KlineHampton RothDerek LukeRussell McCormackLiane BalabanKellyAnnie ParisseAnneNestor SerranoArthurKevin CorriganRafaelAn NguyenAd ExecClint MansellComposerFlorian BallhausCinematographyStream
Rent & Buy