Definitely, Maybe ***

The latest romantic comedy to appear in this traditionally slow movie season, "Definitely, Maybe," Universal's Valentine's/President's Day weekend entry, is a cut above the competition. Ryan Reynolds stars as Will Hayes, separated and soon-to-be-divorced dad of a precocious daughter, Maya (Abigail Breslin of "Little Miss Sunshine"). The framing device is original: eleven-year-old Maya, fresh from her first sex education class, and spending Tuesday with Dad, wants to know how he came to choose Mom from all the contenders. As Will is finally convinced (and Maya is not above shouting "PENIS!" in an elevator lobby if she's not getting answers), he begins telling the story of the women in his life, with names changed to heighten the suspense. In the telling, Will comes to reconsider some of his decisions.

As he tells the story, which starts in 1992 with him leaving Winconsin to go to New York to work on the Clinton campaign, we see Will's life and loves unfold before us. And what a wonderful collection of ladies to choose from! There's Elizabeth Banks ("Invincible"), Isla Fisher ("The Lookout"), and Rachel Weisz (Academy Award winner for "The Constant Gardner"). The dialog from director/writer Adam Brooks has what we've been missing this year: clever, believable banter from clever and believable characters. All of the ladies make the most of some good material. Isla Fisher radiates a happy freedom and vulnerability. Elizabeth Banks is solid as the home town girl. And Rachel Weisz is particularly compelling as a New York writer, an intellectual who's shacked up with a literary lion exuberantly played by Kevin Kline when Will meets her.

The twists and turns of Will's life and with these women unfold over almost two hours with warmth, humor, and an avoidance of the obvious. I found Reynolds up to the task, although he does suffer from the "boyishly-handsome" syndrome that is mentioned more than once in the movie. On the whole, "Definitely, Maybe" is an enjoyable and entertaining rom-com that doesn't insult your intelligence, and provides a nostalgic trip down nineties lane.

Rated PG-13. 112 minutes. Written and directed by Adam Brooks. Produced by Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner. Distributed by Universal Pictures. Principal actors: Ryan Reynolds, Elizabeth Banks, Isla Fisher, Rachel Weisz, Abigail Breslin, Derek Luke, Kevin Kline.