A well-worn comic premise is revived with some success in RAISING HELEN, a watchable family comedy that has the breezy direction of Garry Marshall and a charismatic cast working for it. Kate Hudson stars as Helen Harris, a Manhattan bachelorette who works at a modeling agency who finds her life turned upside down when she is awarded custody of her sister's three children after her sister's sudden death in a car accident. Also thrown into the mix is an underdeveloped romance with a hunky pastor, played by John Corbett (SEX AND THE CITY). The story plays out pretty much as expected though the screenplay attempts to encompass too much. Marshall's direction is strong and Hudson's charm is undeniable. Joan Cusack, as always, steals every scene she's in as Helen's sister Jenny, a tightly-wound supermom who thinks she should have gotten custody of the kids. Helen Mirren (in a refreshing change of pace) and Marshall's good luck charm, Hector Elizondo provide some amusing moments as Helen's two employers during the course of the story. The kids are well-played by Hayden Pannetierre, Abigail Breslin (LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE) and Abigail's real-life older brother, Spencer. Like most of Marhsall's films, it's a little too long, but laughter and warmth can be found here.
Review of Raising Helen
