Review of Raising Helen (2004) by Deb S — 25 Mar 2010

Modeling agency executive and party chick Helen (Kate Hudson) is chosen as legal guardian of her deceased sister's three children. One of whom is adolescent Audrey (Hayden Panettiere), who seems bent on shacking up with a bad kid which turns out to be a bit more than Helen can handle as we watch her struggle to juggle her social life, her job, and now her sister's children.

The movie supports strong invasive parenthood and adolescent responsibility and the importance of loving family bonds is featured well. Helen finally finds the strength to be a parent; the ending is fairly predictable, but there are some real-life lessons to be learnt. Helen Mirren makes the most of her role as Helen's ice like boss and rest of the supporting cast made this an enjoyable watch.