Garry Marshall knows
his way around romantic comedies, having directed such classics as Pretty Woman and
Runaway Bride, so there are high hopes for his latest film, Raising Helen.
Helen is Helen Harris (Kate Hudson), the youngest of three sisters, living
her dream: working at a top modeling agency in New York City during the day and rubbing noses
with the elite at night. But one day, everything changes, and she finds herself caring for
her 15- and 5-year-old nieces and 10-year-old nephew. The situation brings some unwanted changes
– a move to Queens and a job closer to home – but Helen also finds out new things
about herself with the help of Pastor Dan (John Corbett) and Helen’s
super-mom sister Jenny (Joan Cusack).
Raising Helen rides on Hudson’s
performance (as she is in almost every scene), and she does the best she can with weak material.
Corbett’s character is appealing but bland, and the kids are cute but stereotypical.
In fact, the only person who manages to break out of the mold is Cusack, who gives real
depth to her rather thankless role. There were some very funny parts and some very sad ones,
but in general the film didn’t delve very deep. I found the tone a bit too preachy
(what’s so bad about a successful single life in New York City if it makes you happy?)
and the content a bit too melodramatic, but though the film didn’t raise any issues
that haven’t been covered before, it was entertaining overall.
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