The soon-to-be Mr. Scarlett Johanssen, aka Ryan Reynolds, reveals a mature side not yet seen in his past acting credits (which include Van Wilder and the sitcom Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place). Reynolds is Will Hayes, a mid-thirties New Yorker who is quietly divorcing his wife and trying to explain that to his 11-year-old daughter Maya (Abigail Breslin, Little Miss Sunshine). Using the bedtime story as a vehicle through which to relate the bittersweet memories of his early adulthood to his daughter, Will tells the tale of his failed romances, including, of course, "the one that got away." Though Writer-Director Adam Brooks' screenplay is a tad cliché, there are some truly strong dramatic moments in the film and solid performances by Rachel Weisz and Kevin Kline, as well as by the underused Derek Luke (Antwone Fisher). But in the end, it is the boyishly charming Reynolds who proves he may be growing into a more dramatic skin. SL
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