Raising Helen DVD Review

"RAISING HELEN" reviews

DVD

RAISING HELEN

Author

anonymous

Date reviewed

2005-10-26 11:16:33

Provider

DVD Review

Heartstrings are tugged and lessons are learnt in this film from Pretty Woman director Garry Marshall, which stars the very able Kate Hudson.

Hudson plays the titular Helen, a successful New York exec at a top modelling agency whose life is turned upside down when one of her sisters and brother-in-law are killed in a car crash. Much to everyone's surprise, said sister made Helen the legal guardian of her three children - 15-year-old Audrey (Hayden Panettiere), 10-year-old Henry (Spencer Breslin) and five-year-old Sarah (Abigail Breslin). Soon her life is a mere shadow of what it was. The parties and the glamour are replaced by teenage tantrums and the pressures of parenting. How long will it be before Helen cracks? Or will she learn to adapt with help from admirer Pastor Dan (John Corbett)?

While the premise might lead you to believe this is a harrowing tale, it's actually a fun film with good supporting turns from Joan Cusack and Helen Mirren and some tear-jerking moments. Plus there are additional features including an audio commentary from Garry Marshall, deleted scenes, blooper reel and a Liz Phair music video.