Themes: Fish Out of Water, Opposites Attract, Orphans
Main Cast: Kate Hudson, John Corbett, Joan Cusack, Hector Elizondo, Helen Mirren
Release Year: 2004
Country: US
Run Time: 119 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG13
Plot
Directed by Garry Marshall, Raising Helen revolves around Helen Harris (Kate Hudson), whose successful fashion career and decadent Manhattan lifestyle are plenty in terms of keeping her occupied and content. Helen's days as a socialite are brought to a swift end, however, when she is informed not only of the death of her sister and brother-in-law, but of the decision to leave their three children in her care. Being one of New York's hippest matters little to 15-year-old Audrey (Hayden Panettiere), ten-year-old Henry (Spencer Breslin), and five-year-old Sarah (Abigail Breslin), who would much rather have their parents back. Convinced she can raise the kids and maintain her already fast-paced schedule, Helen quickly finds herself burnt out and disheartened by her older sister's (Joan Cusack) lack of faith. Despite her already hectic schedule, however, Helen finds the time to develop a genuine affection for her new dependents, as well as an equally genuine attraction to Pastor Don Parker (John Corbett), the kids' school principal and local pastor. Eventually, Helen realizes she can't balance the two lives, and is faced with a difficult decision: Does she live her old dreams or take a chance on a new one? ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide
Bill Hiney - Art Director, David Scharf - Associate Producer, Mali Finn - Casting, Karen Stirgwolt - Co-producer, Todd Lieberman - Co-producer, Gary Jones - Costume Designer, Ellen H. Schwartz - First Assistant Director, Garry Marshall - Director, Scott Marshall - Second Unit Director, David H. Venghaus - Second Unit Director, Bruce Green - Editor, Tara Timpone - Editor, Ellen H. Schwartz - Executive Producer, Mario Iscovich - Executive Producer, John Debney - Composer (Music Score), Dawn Solér - Musical Direction/Supervision, Steven Jordan - Production Designer, Charles Minsky - Cinematographer, Ashok Amritraj - Producer, David Hoberman - Producer, Thomas D. Causey - Sound/Sound Designer, Jack Amiel - Screenwriter, Michael Begler - Screenwriter, Suzette Sheets - Set Decorator, Patrick J. Clifton - Short Story Author, Beth Rigazio - Short Story Author
Please help improve this article by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page. (November 2009)
Helen Harris (Kate Hudson) has a successful fashion career and a decent Manhattan lifestyle. They are plenty in terms of keeping her occupied and content. Suddenly, Helen's world soon has a big change to it when she hears the news that her sister Lindsay (Felicity Huffman) and brother in law Paul (Sean O'Bryan) have died. She and her other sister Jenny (Joan Cusack) are in shock when they hear Lindsay & Paul left Helen in charge of their three kids 15-year-old Audrey (Hayden Panettiere), 10-year-old Henry (Spencer Breslin), and five-year-old Sarah (Abigail Breslin). Convinced she can raise the kids and maintain her already fast-paced schedule, Helen quickly finds herself burnt out and disheartened by Jenny's lack of faith. Despite her already hectic schedule, however, Helen finds the time to develop a genuine affection for her new dependents, as well as an equally genuine attraction to Dan Parker (John Corbett), the kids' school principal and local Lutheran pastor. Eventually Helen realizes she can't balance the two lives, and is faced with a difficult decision, her fashion career or her nieces and nephew.
