February 18th, 2008

If You’re Into: The “Definitely, Maybe” Edition

By Susannah Jones

If you’re into Ryan Reynolds
The loveable romantic lead whose abs we’ve all come to love, try “Sabrina The Teenage Witch” starring Melissa Joan Hart as the angst-ridden sorceress herself. Sabrina is just the average high school girl until she inherits her magical powers at the age of sixteen. Although you might think magic would greatly improve the stressful high school experience (and it does come with the perks of changing grades and lowering prices of chic clothes), it only complicates Sabrina’s life as she has to juggle perfecting her magical skills, homework, and finding a date for the spring fling! That’s where Seth (Reynolds), the dreamiest of jocks, comes in. Yes, you’ll have to endure overall mini skirts and unfortunate plaids, but as far as cute nineties actors go, Ryan Reynolds takes the cake.
If you’re into Romance in New York City
Try “Manhattan”, starring Woody Allen and Diane Keaton. Once again we find Mr. Allen in the throes of his own philosophical neuroses as he attempts to choose between two women, Mary (Keaton) and Tracy (Mariel Hemingway). He begins the film with Tracy, a sweet and beautiful 17 year-old who he convinces himself he’s only having fun with (how could ever take himself seriously with a teenager, he thinks). Then he meets his equally neurotic counterpart, Mary, who he falls in love with and pursues, even as he is still courting the innocent Tracy. Here is a man like Ryan Reynolds, give or take a few rippling muscles, who must make a decision that will lead him to the love of his life. Of course, nothing is quite that cut and dry in a Woody Allen film, which perhaps lends to his genius, but the story is compelling, witty, sexy, and hilarious as we go along for the ride.
If you’re into Kevin Kline
Try “Princess Caraboo”, also starring Phoebe Cates, Jim Broadbent, and Stephen Rea. Based on a true story, “Princess Caraboo” is the tale of a shoemaker’s daughter (Cates) who fooled an entire village into believing she was an eastern royal. She deceives everyone until Inspector Gutch (Rea) begins to heavily question who she really is. Kline, who is married to Phoebe Cates in real life, plays the self righteous butler, who is initially skeptical of the princess, but eventually won over, believing her to be a beautiful heroine in the fight against the rigid British class system. Kevin Kline is one of the most versatile film actors today, proven by his sterling portrayal of the stiff servant to the English artistocracy which is a far cry from the libidinous intellectual he played in “Definitely, Maybe”. But he pulls it off with the flair we’ve come to expect from his pitch perfect performances. And of course, if you’re just looking for a good romantic comedy, this charming film is a good bet.

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