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Raising Helen (2004)

tomatometer

23

Average Rating: 4.6/10
Reviews Counted: 127
Fresh: 29 | Rotten: 98

As shallow and formulaic as a sitcom.

17

Average Rating: 4.7/10
Critic Reviews: 35
Fresh: 6 | Rotten: 29

As shallow and formulaic as a sitcom.

audience

65

liked it
Average Rating: 3.2/5
User Ratings: 130,098

My Rating

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

PG-13, 1 hr. 59 min.

Comedy

Jack Amiel, Michael Begler

Oct 12, 2004

$37.4M

Buena Vista Pictures

Cast

All Critics (134) | Top Critics (35) | Fresh (31) | Rotten (100) | DVD (21)

[Garry Marshall] piles on the cornball touches with the sledgehammer effect of a bad sitcom director.

June 7, 2004 Full Review Source: Ebert & Roeper | Comment
Ebert & Roeper
Top Critic IconTop Critic

This 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.

May 29, 2004 Full Review Source: Salon.com | Comment
Salon.com
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Almost nothing about Raising Helen rings very true, other than the camera's crush on Kate Hudson.

May 28, 2004 Full Review Source: USA Today | Comment
USA Today
Top Critic IconTop Critic

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.

May 28, 2004 Full Review Source: Toronto Star | Comment
Toronto Star
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Far from the worst cookie-cutter film to come off the Hollywood assembly line, merely the latest.

May 28, 2004 Full Review Source: San Francisco Chronicle | Comment
San Francisco Chronicle
Top Critic IconTop Critic

It's a painless, affably sentimental comedy that would make a popular TV series -- and probably will become one.

May 28, 2004 Full Review Source: Sacramento Bee | Comment
Sacramento Bee
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Light drama with some appealing moments.

December 28, 2010 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media | Comment
Common Sense Media

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.

August 7, 2007 Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com | Comment

A sort of updated Pretty Woman into homework rather than hooking.

May 24, 2007 Full Review | Comment
WBAI Web Radio

A sort of updated Pretty Woman into homework rather than hooking.

May 21, 2007 Full Review | Comment
Long Island Press

Satisfying only because of Joan Cusack's sterling performance. Will somebody please give that actress a starring role in her own vehicle?

May 2, 2007 Full Review Source: Princeton Town Topics | Comment
Princeton Town Topics

As far as heartwarming comedies go, this one has all the parts necessary: the heart, the warmth, and the comedy.

November 1, 2006 Comment

When the title is the best part of the movie, you know you're in trouble.

October 11, 2004 Full Review Source: Movie Metropolis | Comment
Movie Metropolis

...a drippy, maudlin, melodramatic, semi-romantic, sometimes comedy.

October 11, 2004 Full Review Source: Movie Metropolis | Comment
Movie Metropolis

As long as Cosmo girls exist, so will films like Raising Helen.

October 3, 2004 Full Review Source: Slant Magazine | Comment
Slant Magazine
More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Raising Helen

test, test, test, test, test

August 29, 2011
Anatoliy Dudaev

Super Reviewer

Another great film from Kate Hudson! Heart wrenching yet heart warming at the same time!

June 23, 2011
murphmann93
Bethany Murphy

Super Reviewer

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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"...

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