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Raising Helen

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Raising Helen (2004)

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Reviews Counted:124

Fresh:27

Rotten:97

Average Rating:4.6/10

Consensus: As shallow and formulaic as a sitcom.

Rated: PG-13 [See Full Rating] for thematic issues involving teens

Runtime: 1 hr 54 mins

Genre: Comedies

Theatrical Release:May 28, 2004 Wide

Box Office: $37,379,556

Synopsis: In this heartwarming comedy from director Garry Marshall ("Runaway Bride," "The Princess Diaries"), Helen Harris (Academy Award® 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 Award® 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

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Release:

Oct 12, 2004

[DVD Details]
 
 
  • Raising Helen
  • Academy Award(R) nominee Kate Hudson (Best Supporting Actress, ALMOST FAMOUS, 2000; HOW TO LOSE A GUY IN 10 DAYS) lights up the screen with John Corbett (MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING) in this hit romantic comedy from the director of THE PRINCESS DIARIES and PRETTY WOMAN! Helen Harris (Hudson) has a glamorous, big-city life ... working for one of New York's hottest modeling agencies. But suddenly her free-spirited life gets turned upside down when she must chose between the life she?s always loved ... and the new loves of her life! Also starring Joan Cusack (IN & OUT), RAISING HELEN is a laugh-filled treat you're sure to fall in love with!
  • Source: Buena Vista Home Entertainment.
  •  
     
     
     

    Reviews for Raising Helen

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    1 - 20 (sorted by comments)
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    It's shallow and obvious, so totally dishonest you keep reaching back in your seat to make sure it didn't lift your wallet.

    Full Review Source: Dallas Observer | comment 1 Comment
    05/28/04
    Robert Wilonsky
    Robert Wilonsky
    Dallas Observer

    It's like two hours of the worst sitcom you've ever seen.

    Full Review Source: E! Online | comment Comment
    05/28/04
    E! Online
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch | comment Comment
    05/28/04
    St. Louis Post-Dispatch
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Boston Phoenix | comment Comment
    05/29/04
    Boston Phoenix

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Sunday Times (Australia) | comment Comment
    06/07/04
    Sunday Times (Australia)

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
    12/06/05
    Film Threat
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
    02/09/06
    Time Out

    The adorable Hudson's onscreen transformation from party girl to supermom seems forced, and Marshall's efforts to pass her off as the next Julia Roberts-style every girl are irritating.

    Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
    05/28/04
    Angel Cohn
    Angel Cohn
    TV Guide's Movie Guide

    [T]here’s something comforting about the predictability of Raising Helen: The movie’s only surprise is that it works so well.

    Full Review Source: Lowell Sun | comment Comment
    05/27/04
    Austin O'Connor
    Austin O'Connor
    Lowell Sun

    Makes the erroneous suggestion that a woman can't possibly create a life of beauty and meaning without the patter of little feet.

    Full Review Source: Roanoke Times (Virginia) | comment Comment
    05/31/04
    Beth Jones
    Beth Jones
    Roanoke Times (Virginia)

    A heartwarming comedy that makes you think as well as laugh.

    Full Review Source: ReelTalk Movie Reviews | comment Comment
    05/10/04
    Betty Jo Tucker
    Betty Jo Tucker
    ReelTalk Movie Reviews

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: FilmJerk.com | comment Comment
    06/05/04
    Brian Orndorf
    Brian Orndorf
    FilmJerk.com

    A must-miss of snoringly mediocre proportions.

    Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | comment Comment
    05/10/04
    Brian Webster
    Brian Webster
    Apollo Guide

    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.

    Full Review Source: Spectrum (St. George, Utah) | comment Comment
    06/04/04
    Bruce Bennett
    Bruce Bennett
    Spectrum (St. George, Utah)

    [Hudson] melds her radiance to a budding maternal soulfulness.

    Full Review Source: Houston Chronicle | comment Comment
    05/28/04
    Bruce Westbrook
    Bruce Westbrook
    Houston Chronicle
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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

    Full Review Source: Christianity Today | comment Comment
    11/01/06
    CT Staff
    CT Staff
    Christianity Today

    What Raising Helen doesn't offer is a competent (never mind compelling) performance from Hudson, who is as cute as lace pants and has approximately as much acting skill.

    Full Review Source: Philadelphia Inquirer | comment Comment
    05/27/04
    Carrie Rickey
    Carrie Rickey
    Philadelphia Inquirer
    Top Critic Icon Top 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.

    Full Review Source: Salon.com | comment Comment
    05/29/04
    Charles Taylor
    Charles Taylor
    Salon.com

    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.

    Full Review Source: TheMovieChicks.com | comment Comment
    05/28/04
    Cherryl Dawson and Leigh Ann Palone
    Cherryl Dawson and Leigh Ann Palone
    TheMovieChicks.com

    The movie, more tear-jerker than romantic comedy, gets at how painful, awful and, ultimately, worthwhile it is to be a parent, and, if it takes its time getting to that message, that makes sense.

    Full Review Source: St. Paul Pioneer Press | comment Comment
    05/28/04
    Chris Hewitt (St. Paul)
    Chris Hewitt (St. Paul)
    St. Paul Pioneer Press
     
     
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