Release Date: May 28, 2004
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for thematic issues involving teens
Directed by: Garry Marshall
Starring: Kate Hudson, John Corbett, Joan Cusack, Felicity Huffman, Helen Mirren, Abigail Breslin, Spencer Breslin, Hayden Panettiere, Hector Elizondo, Paris Hilton, Amber Valletta

Plot:
When her sister (Huffman) and brother-in-law die in a car accident, a young modeling agency assistant, Helen (Hudson), takes on the role as guardian of their surviving three children: teenager Audrey (Panettiere), 10-year-old Kenny (Spencer Breslin) and kindergartener Sarah (Abigail Breslin). As she tries to juggle the responsibilities of her new quasi-parenthood with the effects on her lifestyle (like moving with the kids to Queens) and her job, she also befriends a local pastor, Dan (Corbett), who falls in love with her.

Review:
Raising Helen is a type of romantic comedy that is not great, but offers some good laughs, makes a hefty amount of points and concludes with a satisfying taste. This isn't the best of the genre and it has been seen in some form or another, but the good in Raising Helen outdoes the bad, not by much, but it does outdo the bad.

Kate Hudson stars as Helen Harris and makes this film happen. She is a party pooper who has nicotine fits and plenty of friends. These are things that most people have early on in their lives, but when the parenting age hits you, it strikes you hard for a maturity change. Its much a lesson in a woman when its time to change the path of adolescent to adult.

Hudson is the center of attention in this film and she gives a solid performance. As an actress she is good and as a mother she is not good at all, but the hardships she goes through changes what everyone thinks. With child actors like Hayden Panettiere, Spencer Breslin and Abigail Breslin its an easy task for the film to deliver in the laughs department.

Director Garry Marshall knows how to make a romantic comedy and with Pretty Woman he does a good job at it. Much of his talent toward that genre is present with Raising Helen and that makes it work. Marshall does well with this story in which the children lose their mother. Realistic problems and the tough ways to be a mother are clear.

Like Jersey Girl, Raising Helen has its flaws, but it doesn't majorly hurt its overall product. The essence of having a good time and experiencing how families can unite by understanding one another is there. The film is flawed with instances that were a bit repetitive and we understood the first time. However, it always delivers with different situations and different meanings.

Never does Raising Helen become a stupid insult or a waste because it holds its composure and remains a joy. The difficult arrangements and pickups between jobs keeps the pace running smoothly. Think about gathering your children, sending them off to school, going to work, cooking dinner, doing the laundry and between all that, try to have some fun.

Hudson has no fun in being mother, but love is no match to fun. Hudson learns and the film doesn't waste its potential and life and family situations. It even shows the way teenagers want to grow up with actress Hayden Panettiere who plays Audrey Davis. For the most part, Raising Helen serves its purpose and has its signs of originality.

This is a film that is easy to endure because its innocent, harmless and pleasant to the eyes and teeth. It has unexpected laughs because of different take in humor. The side of children always brings comedy and is also a part of the enjoyment that comes from the film. The film doesn't make wonders, but in hit and miss, it hardly misses.

Raising Helen has enough charm, passion and interesting dialogue that it overcomes its flaws. It stomps on its flaws lightly and there is more to laugh and cheer for than to dislike. I liked Raising Helen in the same way I liked 13 Going On 30, both films are far from great, but the lead actresses deliver strong performances and the films have smart writing. With a summer full of action films, someone who wants to enjoy a cute romantic comedy, this is a good one, but not a great one.