Definitely, Maybe

Ryan Reynolds has been best known to me from his roles in "Two guys, a girl and a pizza place" and two very funny, yet similar, comedic roles in "Van Wilder" and "Waiting". I was anxious to see Mr. Reynolds in this semi serious role as Mr. Will Hayes from Wisconsin.

The film opens in 1992 with Will graduating from the University of Wisconsin, preparing to leave for New York City to work on the, then candidate Bill Clinton's, campaign. Mr. Hayes is idealistic in his view of the world, completely committed to his ideas and is certain that he is on his own golden road of success. Will Hayes has a "plan" for his life which, as you will see, doesn't exactly happen as he thought or planned. The story of his life and love is shown to us by Will telling his daughter Maya (Abigail Breslin) the story of how he met her mother, his soon to be ex-wife.

The storyline is sweet and kind. For those of us who left the safe confines of college in 1990's, (me personally 1992 Western Kentucky University - yes the school made semi famous by the Grisham novel "The Firm"), and entered the scary world of adulthood, this film is comforting to watch. We all left college with wide eyes and great aspirations of changing the world and making it a better place. Some of us through politics, the arts, or some social service that has been created to help those who need it. Then one day reality hits us and we find ourselves working in a job that pays our bills and allows us to do most of the things we want, but it is certainly not our passion. We are not sure how we got to this point in our life, but we did and here we are. That is the story that is conveyed very nicely in "Definitely, Maybe".

If you are the parent of a thirty something, and you simply don't quite understand your adult child go see this film. You will leave with a better understanding of your adult child's life and what it has been like for your kids whom have grown up in a time when there is nothing special about their generation.

And for you, the parents of pre teen children, I think you will find humor and some wisdom portrayed in the film. The entire film is based on being frank and honest with your children - in an age appropriate manner of course, and allowing your kids to see you as a person who had a different life prior to being a parent. (disclaimer: I do not personally have any children I can only guess).

This is a wonderful matinee film, which will have you leaving the theatre in a little better mood than when you first arrived.