Definitely, Maybe DVD

DVD Review by Kam Williams

Headline: Divorcing Dad Spousifies Daughter in Dysfunctional Family Drama Due on DVD

The midst of a divorce probably isn’t the best time for a father to share the intimate details of his messy love life with a pre-pubescent daughter. But that doesn’t prevent Will Hayes (Ryan Reynolds) from spilling the beans to 11 year-old Maya (Abigail Breslin after her curiosity was whetted in sex education class.
“Tell me the story of how you and my mother met,” she demands. However, rather than restrict his ensuing narrative to his soon-to-be ex, divulging daddy decides to reminisce about all three of his great romances, changing names to make Maya guess which one was with her mom.
This flashback flick shifts back to Madison, Wisconsin in 1992 which is where we find Will already involved with one of the trio, Emily (Elizabeth Banks), his college sweetheart. He leaves the blonde behind when he moves to New York to work on Bill Clinton’s presidential campaign.
Good sport Emily suggests Will look up her best friend, Summer (Rachel Weisz), a brunette bohemian living in Greenwich Village with a college professor (Kevin Kline). Will soon learns that the girls once had a steamy lesbian liaison. Then, to complicate matters, Summer pounces on him they day they meet, explaining that it’s all with Hampton’s approval.
Does any of this sound appropriate for an adolescent’s ears? Wait it gets better. At Clinton campaign headquarters, Will develops a crush on co-worker April (Isla Fisher), a ravishing redhead who could care less about the candidate. Trouble is, she’s already in a relationship.
Needless to say, there’s quite a bit of kinky coupling and uncoupling over the course of this tawdry “Who’s Your Mama?” melodrama. Provided you can ignore the inappropriateness of a father spousifying his daughter in this fashion, you’re apt to enjoy this implausible romp’s unpredictable path toward its carefully-concealed resolution.

Excellent (3.5 stars)
Rated PG-13 for profanity, sexuality, smoking and frank dialogue.
Running time: 111 minutes
Studio: Universal Studios Home Entertainment
DVD Extras: Deleted scenes, feature commentary with the director and star Ryan Reynolds, a couple of featurettes and more.