A One Mann’s Movies review of “Maybe I Do” (2023).
New on Amazon Prime is “Maybe I Do”, which boasts a surprisingly starry cast. Unfortunately, a starry cast does not guarantee a good film, and I found this a dispiriting affair (no pun intended!).
Bob the Movie Man Rating:
Plot Summary:
We start the film with three different strands of story: 1) The married Howard (Richard Gere) is having an affair with the married Monica (Susan Sarandon); 2) The married Sam (William H. Macy) is starting an affair with the married Grace (Diane Keaton); and 3) Young Allen (Luke Bracey) is struggling with the commitment involved in getting married to his girlfriend Michelle (Emma Roberts). How will these three strands of story coallesce? (You’ll NEVER guess!).
Certification:
UK: 12; US: PG-13. (From the BBFC: “Moderate sex references, infrequent strong language”).
Talent:
Starring: Richard Gere, Susan Sarandon, William H. Macy, Diane Keaton, Luke Bracey, Emma Roberts.
Directed by: Michael Jacobs.
Written by: Michael Jacobs.
Twitter Handle: #MaybeIDoFilm.
Monica (Susan Sarandon) with Michelle (Emma Roberts) and Allen (Luke Bracey) (Source: Signature Entertainment).
“Maybe I Do” Review:
Positives:
- There are four older professional actors at work here and even with this material you can admire their craft. William H. Macy is particularly impressive. And after having a big rant about Diane Keaton’s ‘gurning’ performance in “Book Club: The Next Chapter“, here – although still channelling some Annie-Hall-isms – she is much more constrained and naturalistic. (This is either through better direction or self-discipline, I’m not sure.)
Negatives:
- I found the whole premise of playing off the hope and optimism of the two potential newly-weds against the sad lives of the married people in this film a depressing and dispiriting experience. As someone happily married for over 40 years, I couldn’t relate to any of them.
- I haven’t given any spoilers in this review, but you wouldn’t need to be a rocket-scientist to piece together the way that this film is going to go! Which means, the whole film kind of revolves around a single incident that you can see coming a mile off. And when it presents itself, it’s a significant anti-climax. The film is flagged as a “Romantic Comedy”. But the key event is neither romantic nor funny. And it’s not dramatic either. It is just a big old house full of “Meh”.
Summary Thoughts on “Maybe I Do”
Maybe I just wasn’t in the mood. Maybe I didn’t have my romantic comedy glasses on. But Maybe this is just not a great film. My recommendation? If your partner asks “Maybe we can watch this?”, I’d suggest you answer “Maybe not”!
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Trailer for “Maybe I Do”
The trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z11QkNvMZpc . (If MAYBE you can’t work out where the film will go from my introduction, don’t watch the trailer as MAYBE it will spell it out to you!)
