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.
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Average Rating: 3.2/5
User Ratings: 130,098
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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
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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 (38) | Fresh (31) | Rotten (100) | 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.
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.
When the title is the best part of the movie, you know you're in trouble.
...a drippy, maudlin, melodramatic, semi-romantic, sometimes comedy.
As long as Cosmo girls exist, so will films like Raising Helen.
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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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