“Raising Helen” (Touchstone Pictures)
“Raising Helen” is a warm and fuzzy, audience friendly film that takes you away to a world where morals and manners matter and life has meaning. In other words this is a real old fashioned film. Kate Hudson shines as brightly as her golden mom, Goldie Hawn, did in her younger days. She is infectious and enjoyable and the movie wouldn’t be half as entertaining without her in the title role.
Helen (Hudson) is one of three sisters, and she is the only one who is single. Older sis Lindsay (Felicity Huffman) has three kids, and middle sister Jenny (Joan Cusack) has two and one on the way. Helen is the rocking aunt who has a fantastic job in New York City and not a care in the world.
That all changes when Lindsay and her husband are killed in a car wreck, and Helen is named in their will as guardian to their three kids. Both Helen and Jenny are shocked that Jenny has not been named, but Helen bravely assumes the responsibilities of taking care of the kids. She moves them into her apartment and goes about learning how to be a parent.
Audrey, Henry and Sarah (Hayden Panettiere, Spencer Breslin and Abigail Breslin) are good kids but they are KIDS! They require someone being responsible for their care and feeding. Helen loves them but she is not good at being a mom. Her biggest downfall is the fact she wants to be their friend and not their parent.
The film is to be commended for its parenting message, and also for its incorporation of religion into the story. Helen’s new boyfriend (John Corbett) is a Lutheran minister, and he is presented as a normal guy – not some pious geek.
The movie doesn’t have the sparkle it should despite Hudson’s effervescent personality. At times the storyline slows down to a crawl and just seems tired. But then Hudson gets a second wind and pulls it back up to an enjoyable level.
Garry Marshall (“Pretty Woman,” “The Princess Diaries”) directed the movie and he always infuses a sweetness to his story. Sometimes the sweetness is too much, and this film borders on that. Still he doesn’t completely cross the saccharine line, and manages to keep his movie safe for diabetics.
The film is rated PG-13 for profanity and mild sexual situations.
“Raising Helen” is elevated by Kate Hudson’s luminous performance. It is a sweet movie that will appeal to older audiences and old fashioned younger ones.
I scored “Raising Helen” a nurtured 5 out of 10.
