Raising Helen (2004)
Average Rating: 4.6/10
Reviews Counted: 127
Fresh: 29 | Rotten: 98
As shallow and formulaic as a sitcom.
Average Rating: 4.7/10
Critic Reviews: 37
Fresh: 7 | Rotten: 30
As shallow and formulaic as a sitcom.
liked it
Average Rating: 3.2/5
User Ratings: 130,098
Movie Info
Directed by Garry Marshall, Raising Helen revolves around Helen Harris (Kate Hudson), whose successful fashion career and decadent Manhattan lifestyle are plenty in terms of keeping her occupied and content. Helen's days as a socialite are brought to a swift end, however, when she is informed not only of the death of her sister and brother-in-law, but of the decision to leave their three children in her care. Being one of New York's hippest matters little to 15-year-old Audrey (Hayden
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Cast
-
Kate Hudson
Helen Harris -
John Corbett
Pastor Don Parker -
Joan Cusack
Jenny Portman -
Hector Elizondo
Mickey Massey -
Helen Mirren
Dominique -
Hayden Panettiere
Audrey Davis -
Spencer Breslin
Henry Davis -
Abigail Breslin
Sarah Davis -
Sakina Jaffrey
Nilma Prasad -
Kevin Kilner
Ed Portman -
Felicity Huffman
Lindsay Davis -
Sean O'Bryan
Paul Davis -
Amber Valletta
Martina -
Paris Hilton
Amber -
Emily Anne Hart
Audrey's Friend
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All Critics (134) | Top Critics (39) | Fresh (29) | Rotten (98) | DVD (21)
[Garry Marshall] piles on the cornball touches with the sledgehammer effect of a bad sitcom director.
Top CriticThis ode to the most stifling aspects of family and motherhood make you feel like the hicks have all uprooted themselves and moved into the front office at Touchstone.
Almost nothing about Raising Helen rings very true, other than the camera's crush on Kate Hudson.
Even those who seek the undemanding entertainment of life troubles being bravely dealt with might end up wishing they were given more than just sitcom resolutions.
There's no real conflict, and the screenplay sometimes approaches idiocy.
Far from the worst cookie-cutter film to come off the Hollywood assembly line, merely the latest.
Light drama with some appealing moments.
Yet another social fable about women in distress from Gary Marshall with no foundation in any reality and a mannered, irritating performance from Kate Hudson.
A sort of updated Pretty Woman into homework rather than hooking.
Satisfying only because of Joan Cusack's sterling performance. Will somebody please give that actress a starring role in her own vehicle?
As far as heartwarming comedies go, this one has all the parts necessary: the heart, the warmth, and the comedy.
...a drippy, maudlin, melodramatic, semi-romantic, sometimes comedy.
Tries to tell in excruciating detail the stories of at least six characters, but succeeds in showing us they are only cardboard cutouts.
The latest urban fairy tale from Pretty Woman's Marshall sees the director continue his descent into underwritten schmaltz at the expense of genuine wit and warmth.
It's parenthood through rose-colored glasses.
Truly means well but, as box office goes, is too condescending and pre-fab to mean very much.
...sweet-as-Splenda Garry Marshall pipedream...
A gift-wrapped view of pathos -- so sanitized it's almost creepy.
This isn't funny enough or dramatic enough.
...a warm fuzzy...
All the adorability in the world can't save Hudson from another plug-ugly comedy.
Rich with clichés, predictability, and happily ever afters, the story never ever leaves its comfort zone to challenge the characters and their relationships, to create tension or conflict, or to throw in the proverbial plot twist.
Raising Helen can best be described as Jersey Girl with better acting. The idea isn't that interesting, but at least the people involved seem more committed.
Although Raising Helen boasts a charming cast with a cute factor that's off the cinematic Richter scale, typical Hollywood predictability rears its ugly head too often.
Marshall pulls off some delicately serious moments. Problem is, most of this movie is supposed to be funny, and more often than not, it isn't.
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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"...
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Movie: ID: 10901 Title: Raising Helen Release Date: 2004-05-28 00:00:00.0 MPAA: 3 Status: 1
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