Raising Helen

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Raising Helen

PG-13

2004

1h 59m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

25%

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130 Reviews

61%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Single and self-involved, Helen Harris (Kate Hudson) has a thriving fashion career and a lavish lifestyle in New York City. Helen is shocked to hear that her sister and brother-in-law have died in an accident, and alarmed that they have named her the guardian of their three kids (Hayden Panettiere, Spencer Breslin, Abigail Breslin). As the children struggle with the change, Helen has to decide whether she'll cling to her old ways or come to terms with her new family role.

Critics Consensus

As shallow and formulaic as a sitcom.

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

12/28/2010

4/5

Light drama with some appealing moments.

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Liz Moody

Empire Magazine

08/28/2004

2/5

The latest urban fairy tale from Pretty Woman's Marshall sees the director continue his descent into underwritten schmaltz at the expense of genuine wit and warmth.

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Stella Papamichael

BBC.com

06/15/2004

2/5

This isn't funny enough or dramatic enough.

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Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

09/20/2020

2.5/4.0

The entire film is pretty much saved by Cusack, who seems to add so much to even the most stereotypical role.

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Megan Basham

National Review

02/06/2018

Helen recognizes what the audience has known all along: "Holy can be hot!"

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Kevin Carr

Fat Guys at the Movies

01/17/2016

3/5

Marshall does a decent job with this film, keeping everything 'nice' as you find in most of his movies.

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John P

Nov 24

My special needs daughter loves this terrible movie, so I’m stuck watching it with her (and pretending enthusiasm) from time to time. My main complaint - it isn’t funny.

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thiago s

@Thiagostone Oct 23

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom

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Tim M

@tgmacman Sep 6

Without the tools to pull off both family comedy and grounded drama, Raising Helen lacks conviction.

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Cleveland E

@bdeneris 07/09/2024

An insipid, uninspiring movie without so much as a single plot twist. Joan Cusak was the only saving Grace, but even with her talent, she couldn’t save the predictable and boring plot and dialogue.

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Barabas B

11/04/2023

lovely and heartwarming

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@jeroduptown 08/23/2022

It's not a family masterpiece - but it's a decent family value film where Hudson goes from her high-powered exec career to one of taking care of her nieces and nephew when her sister dies suddenly.

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Garry Marshall

Director

Kate Hudson

Helen Harris

John Corbett

Pastor Dan

Joan Cusack

Jenny

Héctor Elizondo

Mickey Massey

Helen Mirren

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Synopsis

Single and self-involved, Helen Harris (Kate Hudson) has a thriving fashion career and a lavish lifestyle in New York City. Helen is shocked to hear that her sister and brother-in-law have died in an accident, and alarmed that they have named her the guardian of their three kids (Hayden Panettiere, Spencer Breslin, Abigail Breslin). As the children struggle with the change, Helen has to decide whether she'll cling to her old ways or come to terms with her new family role.

Director: Garry Marshall
Producer: Ashok Amritraj, David Hoberman
Screenwriter: Patrick J. Clifton, Jack Amiel, Michael Begler
Distributor: Walt Disney Pictures, Buena Vista Pictures, Touchstone Pictures
Production Co: Touchstone Pictures, High Arc Productions, Beacon Pictures
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 1, 2004, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $37.5M
Runtime: 1h 59m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby SRD, DTS, Surround
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)