Review of Baby Mama (2008) by Robertm.h. — 23 May 2008

Usually I pretty much agree with the overall comments of critics and movie website 'users', but in this case, I seem to be completely out of line. My rection to "Baby Mama" was decisively different.

I loved this comedy. I laughed, many times heartedly, throughout. I was very surprised at the negative comments about the movie's comic timing, as if the jokes were there, but they were either shot and/or edited wrong.

To me, the comic timing was the movie's strength, especially the rapport between Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. And I thought the scene where Amy's pregnant character Angie was being wheeled into the hospital prior to her delivery, was insanely, perfectly funny.

Certainly, I appreciated Steve Martin and Sigourney Weaver in their crucial supporting roles, as well as Dax Shepard and the inimitable Holland Taylor; but the movie, and the comedy, belongs to Fey and Poehler; and I thought they were as funny a comedy team as any I've ever seen, especially in this age of blatantly smarmy male-oriented "chuckle fests".

One common thread among the reviews and commentaries focuses on the prior expectations of most of the reviewers, having seen both of these women many times on television, and particularly on 'Saturday Night Live'.

My encounter with "Baby Mama" carried no previous baggage whatever -- I have long since stopped watching SNL, as well as most other television -- and my reactions to these two fabulous comediennes was fresh and unprepared.

So I laughed. Long and hard. This is one of the best comedies I've seen on film, and I've been able to laugh along with the cinema since the 1950's. So if you haven't encountered "Baby Mama" as yet, or may be waiting for it on DVD, I strongly urge you to give it a chance, keep an open mind, and just go with what it offers -- great pleasure, and many chances to really laugh.