Raising Helen (2004)

Raising Helen .. DVD

My DVD arrived in excellent condition in a timely manner. Thank you so much. December 1, 2008

Don't waste your time!

Aside from the extremely predictable plot, bad acting on almost everyone's part, and unbelievable behavior on the part of the pastor, this movie has little to redeem it. In fact, after watching it once, I quickly gave it away. Don't waste your time. October 30, 2008

Formulaic yet forgivable because of Hudson's undeniable charm...

Kate Hudson is adorable. We all know this, we all agree with this, we all believe this wholesouled and the probably explains why we can't stay away from her movies, no matter how ridiculously unoriginal they may be. That said; `Raising Helen' is one of those `been there done that, seen it all before' type films that, staring any other actor would be wept under the table and forgotten about long before it was ever released, but because it stars the undeniably luminous Hudson we all flock to it in hordes and adore it respectfully.

Yes, I like this movie, even though technically I don't think I'm supposed to.

The film tells the story of young, single, working woman Helen who has a huge career in the fashion world ahead of her. She has everything going in the right direction; that is until her older sister Lindsay dies tragically and leaves her three kids in the care of Helen. Helen seems like the odd choice. She is goofy and single and seemingly unstable (even though her job is secure), and her other sister Jenny is married with children, responsible and `motherly', yet Lindsay chooses Helen to care for her children, and this sends shockwaves through the bones of everyone involved. Helen has to get another apartment, she has to lessen her work load, she has to branch out in the community, and all of this puts a strain on her life. Jenny has to struggle with hurt feelings as she feels like the better mother for the job and is outraged that Lindsay didn't see things that way. Throw into the mix some teenage hormones and a cute preacher by the name of Pastor Dan and you have a sweet yet very familiar romantic dramedy that will suffice if there is nothing better to watch.

Hudson is adorable. I think I already said that. This is no exception. She effortlessly shifts through each scene with believable likableness and earns our love and adoration. I just really wish she would do something else with her career. She was so promising in `Almost Famous' and I really thought that she would capitalize on that Oscar nomination by advancing for a more mature career, but she seems stuck making the same ol' same romantic comedy, one right after the other. John Corbett is effective as the love interest. He's handsome and charming he possesses this magnetic like manner, where you just know he is the right guy. The film belongs to Joan Cusack though; I mean really, she should be in every movie (or at least every comedy). She perfectly knows how to create a grounded character that is funny yet sincere. I just love her.

`Raising Helen' is a sweet movie, and it has its moments (not to mention a hilarious supporting turn by Sakina Jaffrey) but I cannot lie to you and tell you that it is wonderful or even a must see. I own this (I bought it before actually watching it because I love Kate Hudson...did I say that yet?) but it is not a film that I gather around to watch on a regular basis. There are far better films that follow this same formula out there, so I'd recommend one of those before this one. That said; this is still entertaining and, if you happen to catch it I can honestly say that you won't regret it. October 16, 2008

Sexist pronatist garbage

A previous reviewer noted that the deceased sister wished to teach Helen 'a lesson in parenting.'

This idea has stuck with me because of the unspoken corellary that a young footloose sucessful career woman NEEDS to have a 'lesson in parenting' because being a mother is the be all and end all for ALL women.
The assumption is that all women need and want children, and will have them, and that all of us who do NOT are just fooling ourselves and need a sitcom-like twist to show us the error of our ways.
Why does Helen 'need' a lesson in parenting if the unspoken assumption is NOT that she needs and wants (or will need and want) to have children, merely by virtue of being a woman?

I have seen synopsises of this movie which say that Helen is 'forced to grow up'.
Gee - having a high paced career that you love, being financially independant and responsible, owning your own place, having your own money, paying all your bills on time - NONE of those things means that a woman is a 'grown up'. NO! The only way a woman could POSSIBLY be an adult is if she is maternal and has children. Everything else is just dress up. As a childfree ADULT woman with no maternal instinct whatsoever, I find this mindset DISGUSTING.

August 30, 2008

A Bit Sacharine

Everything is a little too cute and sweet and wholesome. My teeth ache from watching: three orphans, their cute aunt try to raise them, while dating an impossibly wholesome minister. oi-vey!
Still, i DID watch the whole thing, so that's saying something. June 1, 2008

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