Review of Baby Mama (2008) by Bryan W — 14 Aug 2010

The concept that a rich woman unable to have children would use a surrogate mother who is, for all intents and purposes, a moronic redneck seems like it might at best a pitch for a decent SNL script, but in the hands of former Austin Powers co-writer Michael McCullers and Tina Fey, the results should not be in doubt. Taking a page from the recent Apatow films, the talent involved aren't afraid to do humor from every level of the barrel while remembering that this story is supposedly about real people.

Though an act-off between the two leads would yield a clear winner in Fey, Amy Poehler utilizes the chemistry the two have no doubt honed in being a hilarious annoyance who seems to genuinely drive the protagonist insane. This same chemistry lends them the ability to look believable when the story propels them past the general annoyance level to serious interpersonal conflict. Throw in some solid supporting performances by popular comic actors new and old as well as a few super-stars and you have an overlooked, underrated comic classic.