Movie Review: Maybe I Do (2023)

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Director: Michael Jacobs

Starring: Diane Keaton, Susan Sarandon, Richard Gere, William H. Macy, Emma Roberts, Luke Bracey

Running Time: 95 minutes

Synopsis: Michelle (Emma Roberts) gives her long-term boyfriend Allen (Luke Bracey) 24 hours to commit to marriage. Michelle's parents Howard and Grace (Richard Gere and Diane Keaton) then invite Allen's parents Sam and Monica (William H. Macy and Susan Sarandon) for dinner, exposing the four-month affair between Howard and Monica and the one-night friendship between Grace and Sam. Multiple discussions about commitments ensue.

What Works Well: The stellar cast maintains a base level of interest, with Emma Roberts and William H. Macy most engaged. The script at least dares to break away from most of the standard rom-com genre cliches.

What Does Not Work As Well: Michael Jacobs adapts his own play, but the material as presented is ill-suited to the screen. Confined to theatrical sets, the characters repetitively - and endlessly - explore the viability of long-term relationships, the courage required to leap into marriage, and the risk of familiarity yielding to staleness. The unconvincing dialogue never sounds credible and circles the same drain for 95 minutes. The wild coincidences of the parent couples' illicit liaisons ultimately add nothing of consequence.

Conclusion: Too much ardent talk, not enough genuine substance.



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