Maybe I Do
Theatrical release poster
Directed byMichael Jacobs
Screenplay byMichael Jacobs
Based onCheaters
by Michael Jacobs
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyTim Suhrstedt
Edited byErica Freed Marker
Music byLesley Barber
Production
companies
Distributed byVertical Entertainment
Release date
  • January 25, 2023 (2023-01-25)
Running time
95 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$4.5 million[1][2]

Maybe I Do is a 2023 American romantic comedy film written and directed by Michael Jacobs, based on his own play Cheaters, and starring Diane Keaton, Richard Gere, Susan Sarandon, Emma Roberts, Luke Bracey, and William H. Macy. It is Jacobs' feature directorial debut.[3][4]

When young couple Michelle and Allen finally decide to have their parents meet to talk about marriage, they discover they already know each another well, leading to some differing opinions about it.

Plot

We open to Sam and Grace meeting, as they are both watching a Swedish film alone. Afterwards, they vacillate about having sex in a cheap motel. Eventually they get a bucket of food and a six-pack, take it to the room, but spend the evening walking and talking.

Howard and Monica are staying in a hotel, and he alludes to the facts that they have been seeing each other for four months and he is married to someone else. He is no longer interested in continuing the affair, and she gives him thinly veiled threats. But Howard leaves nonetheless.

Finally, we see Michelle and Allen attending a wedding, where he intercepts the bouquet so Michelle cannot catch it. She of course had fantasized it is being the idyllic start to their perfect future together. Back at his apartment Michelle changes clothes, gives Allen a 24h ultimatum, and walks out.

Howard goes into a coffee shop after leaving Monica and a waitress and he observe a young couple. Howard is missing his youth. Monica leaving the hotel confronts a young female hotel clerk, pointing out how quickly people age.

Howard goes home, finding his wife Grace in the living room. After an awkward attempt at conversation, their daughter Michelle comes in. She brings up the ultimatum she dropped on Allen, which her mother fully supports. Allen similarly tells his parents Sam and Monica, and his dad is pro wedding while Monica is not.

The next morning, Grace, a religious person, is watching a sermon on TV and talks back to the tv as it talks about infidelity and admitting guilt. Horward hears the show addressing infidelity and walks back out of the kitchen without Grace knowing. The two sets of parents continue talking to their respective children about marriage. Both of Michelle's go on about the importance of wedding rings, symbolising commitment; the irony is both are hiding betrayal and guilt and neither happens to be wearing theirs. Howard and Grace are surprised at why the sets of parents have never met. They get Michelle to invite Allen and his parents to dinner. Sam accepts although Monica does not agree.

When Allen and his parents arrive, there is extreme awkwardness although the double affairs had not come to light. Monica goes with Howard to get the drinks, and she continues with her threat that they should continue seeing each other or she'll kill him. Grace walks outside under the guise of showing Sam the grounds of the house and he tries to convince her that they had a strong connection, that it was fate, and that they need to pursue a relationship. She wants to find happiness in her marriage with Howard.

Michelle and Allen continue talking the pros and cons about getting married, with the conversation ending with Michelle concluding that Allen is basing his negativity of marriage on his parents’ failing relationship.

In front of all four parents, Michelle asks Allen to trust in the now and to not fear that things could end badly, to take a leap of faith with her. She leaves the room, and he soon follows after being encouraged by both the fathers. Left alone, Monica spills the beans about her affair with Howard, or tries to. Both Grace and Sam guiltily confess about meeting the previous night, and Monica smugly talks about her affair with Howard Howard begs Grace for her forgiveness.

An upset Grace goes outside, while Sam and Howard compare info about their infidelities Howard explains that theirs was purely physical whereas Sam explains theirs was purely cerebral. They start to fight with their fists, but it soon turns into a hug. Howard considers both his wife and Sam are better people than him. Monica follows Grace and lets her know she thinks Howard has not gotten too lost and that their marriage could still be saved.

The men join them outside. Howard said it was the last and only time he cheated on her, which Monica corroborates. Grace is hurt that, instead of talking things through with her, he had sought solace in another's arms. When she leaves in tears, Sam encourages Howard to go after her as she believes her best possible happy ending is with him.

Sam and Monica start talking once they are alone. He says he had always felt she is more interesting than him, that she is an unstoppable force, and he has stayed because of their son. Meeting Grace, he now sees he could love again.

Michelle and Allen write their own vows and marry. Afterwards we see Sam and Monica in what seems like a goodbye and ending of their relationship while Howard and Grace have refound their passion for each other.

Cast

Production

Principal photography occurred in February and March 2022 in Montclair and Cranford, New Jersey.[5][6][7][8]

Release

In November 2022, it was announced that Vertical Entertainment acquired North American rights to the film, which was released on January 25, 2023.[9]

Reception

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 34% of 47 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 4.9/10. The website's consensus reads: "Its title leaves plenty of room for doubt, but don't be fooled: Despite its impressive cast, Maybe I Do is a definitively subpar rom-com."[10] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 42 out of 100, based on 10 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.[11]

References

  1. ↑ "Maybe I Do". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Maybe I Do". The Numbers. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  3. ↑ Kroll, Justin (May 5, 2022). "Diane Keaton, Susan Sarandon, Richard Gere, William H. Macy, Emma Roberts & Luke Bracey To Star In 'Maybe I Do'-Cannes Market Hot Package". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
  4. ↑ Meyer, Joshua (May 6, 2022). "Susan Sarandon, Richard Gere, William H. Macy, Diane Keaton, And More Join The Star-Studded Cast Of Rom-Com Maybe I Do". /Film. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
  5. ↑ Martin, Julia (March 1, 2022). "Seeing stars in Montclair? This movie filming there is the reason". NorthJersey.com. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
  6. ↑ Kuperinsky, Amy (March 3, 2022). "'Maybe I Do' movie brings Diane Keaton, Emma Roberts, William H. Macy and more to N.J." NJ.com. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
  7. ↑ Samuels, Remy (March 2, 2022). "A Star In The Making: Owner Of Craven BBQ To Appear In New Film". Patch. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
  8. ↑ Samuels, Remy (February 25, 2022). "Diane Keaton, William H. Macy In Cranford Filming Movie Scene". Patch. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
  9. ↑ Ntim, Zac (November 3, 2022). "'Maybe I Do': Ensemble Comedy Starring Diane Keaton, Richard Gere, Susan Sarandon, Emma Roberts, Luke Bracey & William H. Macy Inks Key International Deals". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
  10. ↑ "Maybe I Do". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  11. ↑ "Maybe I Do". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
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