Movie Review: Raising Helen
By Natalie Johnson
I would really, really like to see Kate Hudson playing someone different. Because in her last three movies, (including ìHow to Lose A Guy In Ten Daysî) which were all unbelievably mediocre, she plays the same person. And, as with her last three movies, this one is only good for renting on video when you are really bored of watching ìFriendsî reruns. This movie is so saccharine sweet that you feel as if you are being manipulated into liking it. It doesnít work.
"Raising Helen" is about Helen Harris, an assistant to the owner of a modelling agency who is living in the fast lane until her sister dies in a tragic accident. The sister inexplicably leaves her three children (One pouty teen, Audrey, and two pouty pre-teens, Henry and Sara) to the clueless Helen - a mystery since their other sister Jenny (Joan Cusak) is a super mom. After Helen loses her job because Sara, the youngest child, hops onto the modelsí runway, causing chaos, they move to an apartment in Queens, go to a Lutheran school (which provides one of the funniest scenes in the movie), and eventually have life pretty figured out. When something falls apart (as it always does), and things go wrong, the children move to their Aunt Jennyís house. Aunt Helen makes things right by learning tough love, and the kids move back to her and they live happily ever after.
Now, there are a few things wrong with this movie. Why in the world would Helenís sister choose the irresponsible Helen to look after her three kids, instead of the super-responsible super-mom Jenny? Now, there is a reason for this which they make a big deal of, but itís sort of weak.
The acting is suitable, I guess, with John Corbett as the pastor who asks Helen out, and the kids are as good in their parts as they should be. Sara is cute, Henry is a wiseacre, and Audrey is adolescent and grumpy. Kate Hudson seems to be waiting for a funny line, but she pulls it off as best she can. Who really saves the show is Joan Cusak, as Super-mom Jenny, whose character is hilarious with lines (like to Audreyís slouchy boyfriend) like ìIím sure you arenít a bad person, but this behaviour is very, very bad.)
This movie is kind of annoyingly sweet, but it can be pretty funny at times. Youíll never remember it once you walk out of the theatre, but itís an entertaining, forgettable, film.
This is Natalie Johnson for Movie Magazine.
"Raising Helen" is about Helen Harris, an assistant to the owner of a modelling agency who is living in the fast lane until her sister dies in a tragic accident. The sister inexplicably leaves her three children (One pouty teen, Audrey, and two pouty pre-teens, Henry and Sara) to the clueless Helen - a mystery since their other sister Jenny (Joan Cusak) is a super mom. After Helen loses her job because Sara, the youngest child, hops onto the modelsí runway, causing chaos, they move to an apartment in Queens, go to a Lutheran school (which provides one of the funniest scenes in the movie), and eventually have life pretty figured out. When something falls apart (as it always does), and things go wrong, the children move to their Aunt Jennyís house. Aunt Helen makes things right by learning tough love, and the kids move back to her and they live happily ever after.
Now, there are a few things wrong with this movie. Why in the world would Helenís sister choose the irresponsible Helen to look after her three kids, instead of the super-responsible super-mom Jenny? Now, there is a reason for this which they make a big deal of, but itís sort of weak.
The acting is suitable, I guess, with John Corbett as the pastor who asks Helen out, and the kids are as good in their parts as they should be. Sara is cute, Henry is a wiseacre, and Audrey is adolescent and grumpy. Kate Hudson seems to be waiting for a funny line, but she pulls it off as best she can. Who really saves the show is Joan Cusak, as Super-mom Jenny, whose character is hilarious with lines (like to Audreyís slouchy boyfriend) like ìIím sure you arenít a bad person, but this behaviour is very, very bad.)
This movie is kind of annoyingly sweet, but it can be pretty funny at times. Youíll never remember it once you walk out of the theatre, but itís an entertaining, forgettable, film.
This is Natalie Johnson for Movie Magazine.
© 2004 - Natalie Johnson - Air Date: 6/2/04
More Information:
Raising Helen
USA - 2004
