'Definitely' a cut above

This is not the age of the rom-com, to say the very least.

But along comes "Definitely, Maybe," and a flicker of hope alights for the genre.

"Definitely" stars Ryan Reynolds as an exasperated dad trying to explain to his daughter (Abigail Breslin) why her mommy and daddy are no longer are married.

How do you tell your child you don't her mother in that special way any more?
Instead of revealing the ugly truth, Papa Reynolds shares the tale of how he met her mother. That story, which makes up the bulk of the film, also includes two other key romances in his young life, a time when he idealistically worked for Gov. Bill Clinton's presidential campaign. But which woman ended up as his now ex-wife? That's the mystery in this cleverly plotted yarn, one which benefits from terrific casting. Oscar winner Rachel Weisz plays a Bohemian girl who captures Reynolds' heart. But so, too, does Elizabeth Banks as his first love and Isla Fisher as a free-spirited copy machine fixer.

A guy could do much worse, right?

The campaign subplot provides both context for the main character as well as a whiff of '90s nostalgia. But it's the intertwining love stories that command our attention.

"Definitely, Maybe" has its sour spots -- why would a father tell so much detailed information about his dating past to his kid, for starters? And would someone please give Banks a bigger role so she can become a full-fledged movie star already?

But winning performances and an original storyline make it your best bet for Valentine's Day at the cineplex.

(Photo: Ryan Reynolds and Isla Fisher flirt in "Definitely, Maybe")