Begs for attention like a homeless puppy.
Raising Helen (2004)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:124
Fresh:27
Rotten:97
Average Rating:4.6/10
Consensus: As shallow and formulaic as a sitcom.
Runtime: 1 hr 54 mins
Genre: Comedies
Synopsis: In this heartwarming comedy from director Garry Marshall ("Runaway Bride," "The Princess Diaries"), Helen Harris (Academy AwardŽ nominee KATE HUDSON) is living the life she always dreamed of. Her... In this heartwarming comedy from director Garry Marshall ("Runaway Bride," "The Princess Diaries"), Helen Harris (Academy AwardŽ nominee KATE HUDSON) is living the life she always dreamed of. Her career at a top Manhattan modeling agency is on the rise; she spends her days at fashion shows and her nights at the city's hottest clubs. But her carefree lifestyle comes to a screeching halt when one phone call changes everything. Helen soon finds herself responsible for her sister's children 15-year-old Audrey (HAYDEN PANETTIERE), 10-year-old Henry (SPENCER BRESLIN), and 5-year-old Sarah (ABIGAIL BRESLIN). No one doubts that Helen is the coolest aunt in New York, but what does this glamour girl know about raising kids? The fun begins as Helen goes through the transformation from super hip to super mom, but she quickly finds that dancing at 3 a.m. doesn't mix with getting kids to school on time advice that Helen's older sister, Jenny (JOAN CUSACK), is only too quick to dish out. Along the way, Helen finds support in the most unusual place with Dan Parker (JOHN CORBETT), the handsome young pastor and principal of the kids' new school and realizes the choice she has to make is between the life she's always loved and the new loves of her life. -- © Touchstone Pictures [More]
Starring: Kate Hudson, Hayden Panettiere, Abigail Breslin, Spencer Breslin
Starring: Kate Hudson, Hayden Panettiere, Abigail Breslin, Spencer Breslin, Joan Cusack, John Corbett, Helen Mirren, Hector Elizondo
Director: Garry Marshall
Director: Garry Marshall
Screenwriter: Jack Amiel, Michael Begler
Producer: David Hoberman, Ashok Amritraj, Mario Iscovich, Ellen H. Schwartz
Studio: Buena Vista Pictures
Reviews for Raising Helen
Hudson is fatally miscast, and it's nearly impossible to watch the film and not imagine that a still-youthful but more world-weary star would have made a better fit.
The inevitable happy ending allows Helen to "have it all," but you might still be worrying about those kids.
Jumps back and forth between airy-fairy romantic comedy and leaden family drama with the alacrity of a manic-depressive.
You are likely to encounter more surprises on the way to the bathroom each morning than you do in this film.
Those suffering from testosterone poisoning from the current blockbusters will find this a welcome antidote.
3 good movie ideas... crammed all in one - who cares if it doesn't fit into a genre. One thing still remains true - it's bad for your health to be a parent in a Disney movie.
A mediocre film at best, but Hudson and the rest of the cast help raise the bar to make it a bit more palatable.
One of Garry Marshall's better efforts. It is gently witty and occasionally entertaining, if you can overlook the fact that you've seen it all before.
It is the kind of film that cleanses the palate and leaves viewers with nothing more than a desire to see a real movie.
The best part of Raising Helen, beside the welcomed scroll of its end credits? Read on->
Helen must also be willing not to be completely loved every single second. Hudson shows us as an actress that is a lesson she has already learned.
Kate Hudson stars in this mildly ingratiating comedy as a selfish fashionista whose career stops short when she is granted custody of her late sister's three children.
It confirms the suspicion that Mr. Marshall is more a commodity than a director.
As much as we want to wrap our hearts around this wannabe uplifting tearjerker, it's just too shallow to embrace.
Great premise, but the ensuing trials and tribulations -- not to mention hapless attempts at comedy -- are ... off-key.
Latest News for Raising Helen
November 17, 2005:
Oh It's Already Been Broughten (Part 3)
A fresh press release from Universal informs us that there will soon be a "Bring It On 3" to enjoy, but also reminds us that, hey yeah, there WAS a direct-to-video... More...
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