Film Review: MAYBE I DO (2023): Michael Jacobs’ Screwball Comedy Has a Terrific Cast and Enough Zany Humor to Please Audiences

Maybe I Do Review

Maybe I Do (2023) Film Review, a movie written and directed by Michael Jacobs and starring Susan Sarandon, Diane Keaton, Richard Gere, William H. Macy, Luke Bracey, Emma Roberts, Natalie Ortega, Valeria Marrero, Adrienne Acevedo Lovette, Michael Kostroff, Kirk Kelly, Gina Jun, Setty Brosevelt, Kevin D. Benton and Mezi Atwood.

Michael Jacobs’ new film, Maybe I Do, may be messy and lacking in depth in certain spots but it’s still a hilariously funny good time. It’s almost impossible not to have a smile on your face watching this film’s all-star cast go through its comic paces. Some people may be disappointed by the fact that the story line is a little slight but in terms of sheer entertainment value, Maybe I Do delivers.

This film is about a young couple named Allen (Luke Bracey) and Michelle (Emma Roberts). They seem to have great feelings of admiration for one another but Allen seemingly has cold feet. At a wedding, Allen jumps in to stop Michelle from catching the bouquet. Michelle is ready for the next step in her life with Allen. What happens in this movie afterwards ends up involving this couple’s parents meeting up for the first time in true screwball comedy fashion.

At first, we don’t know how all the main characters in the movie intersect. Diane Keaton’s character, Grace, takes an interest in Sam (William H. Macy), a gentleman who is weeping alone at a film in a movie theater they are both attending. Sam changes his seat and Grace comes over to him and the two start to bond followed by a trip to a motel to rent a room. Grace decides that’s not the right thing to do, though, so they go to an eatery first before heading back to the motel.

The build up in this movie is leading up to the scenes where the two sets of parents (Allen’s and Michelle’s) will finally meet and discover the surprise as to who the parents actually are. When the scenes get to the house where all of the stars will learn the truth, the movie has zingy moments that make it really entertaining to watch.

There is one particular stand-out in the cast. Susan Sarandon hasn’t been as enjoyable in a movie in years as she is in Maybe I Do. She plays Monica, Allen’s mother, who is having an affair with Howard (Richard Gere), Michelle’s father, when the film begins. It seems Howard is sort of giving Monica the cold shoulder as she’s dressed (or under dressed) to impress in order to make him happy. Howard isn’t giving in, though. When Monica discovers that her son is dating Howard’s daughter, there are some hysterically funny moments. Monica tells Howard she is going to kill Howard at one point early on, and, now, Howard must confront his situation, for better or worse.

Gere is also impressive in the movie in his role as the concerned dad. Gere has a lot of onscreen charisma here in his role which is the perfect type of character to bounce off of Sarandon’s sly playfulness. As Monica’s husband, William H. Macy adds credibility to his role making us feel somewhat sympathetic and understanding of his predicament. Diane Keaton is OK in her role as Grace although it certainly does not rank as her best work. Not even close. Still, Keaton’s fun presence makes the film flow more smoothly than it could have.

There are some problems here. There are a lot of heavy themes that definitely wouldn’t be worked out so easily in the scenarios the movie presents to the audience. Still, the cast puts a lot of zest into their characters making it all an endearing enough film to see if you like wildly unpredictable romantic comedies. There are some laugh-out-loud moments thanks to Sarandon who all but runs away with the film with her sharp and sexy character who certainly does her best to keep the movie interesting throughout.

Bracey and Roberts are also commendable for their charismatic work in this movie. Roberts is a gem. As the girl who always wanted to be a ballerina, Roberts creates a character in Michelle that audiences will really enjoy getting to know. Bracey’s Allen has enough plausible doubts in his mind that make his relationship with Roberts’ Michelle seem rather believable. Some of the zany situations that occur in the movie aren’t always done with the best taste but Bracey and Roberts emerge unscathed.

Of course, some things happen too fast as a decision is ultimately made regarding the future of these characters’ relationships but Maybe I Do ultimately makes one ponder the complexities of life and love. There’s no certainty regarding who we choose to love and stand beside in life. It’s all a risk. Maybe I Do doesn’t have all the answers but it’s a cute enough way to pass the time and in the company of old pros like Sarandon, Gere, Macy and Keaton, you’ll have a smile on your face almost all the way through.

Rating: 6.5/10

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