Rated PG-13 for crude and sexual humor, language and a drug reference.
Directed by Michael McCullers (First Feature Film)
Starring Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Greg Kinnear, Dax Shepard, Romany Malco, Maura Tierney, Holland Taylor, Steve Martin, and Sigourney Weaver
Kate Holbrook (Tina Fey) is a successful and single businesswoman who has long put her career ahead of her personal life, but at 37, she now wants a child of her own. But when she discovers she has only a one-in-a-million chance of getting pregnant and adoption is just as unlikely, she decides to let South Philly working girl Angie Ostrowiski (Amy Poehler) become her unlikely surrogate. Once Kate knows Angie is pregnant, she goes into precision nesting mode: reading childcare books, baby-proofing the apartment and researching top pre-schools. But the executive's well-organized strategy is turned upside down when her “Baby Mama” shows up at her doorstep with no place to live. In a modern “Odd Couple” battle of wills, they struggle and learn a lot about each other and themselves.
Jonathan’s Word: My wife and I went into this film with really low expectations. We were pleasantly surprised. It was a really fun comedy.
Todd’s Word: That’s funny, my wife and I went into this film with really high expectations. I think Tina Fey and Amy Poehler are the two funniest women on the planet. So we were a little disappointed. Yes, it was a fun comedy, but I felt I had already seen all the really funny stuff in the trailer. The other reason I can’t give it a higher score is: it was just so predictable. I mean it’s not a mystery or a film you expect twists in, but when I predicted the sappy video montage, it went down another notch.
Jonathan’s Word: Yeah, it wasn’t the freshest material. But predictability aside, it wasn’t the 10th film of its kind. The concept was fairly new.
I think a lot of my surprise was in how clean it was. It wasn’t totally clean, mind you. But PG-13 is such trash usually, that this film actually came across as mild compared to its counterparts.
Todd’s Word: Very true, but let me ask you this question: Is that mostly because the two lead characters were women? As opposed to Harold and Kumar?
Jonathan’s Word: Not at all. Harold and Kumar are always either smoking pot, talking about sex, or doing stupid and vile things. These ladies had only a few raunchy moments at all. Not even a comparison.
Todd’s Word: Good point.
Jonathan’s Word: This movie will go down in my book as a good date film. It was funny, with a touch of romantic comedy. Probably my favorite genre when I’m on the couch eating popcorn with my wife.
Todd’s Word: Wait, Lori doesn’t like football or gladiator movies?
In all seriousness, for us it was an O.K. popcorn-date movie. We laughed a few times but we have no interest in seeing it again.
Jonathan’s Word: One thing this film provided was likable characters. You can’t help but like Tina Fey’s character from the beginning. My favorite was the doorman. Greg Kinnear provided another one, and Amy Phoeler’s character eventually grows on you as well.
Todd’s Word: What about Dax Shepard?
Jonathan’s Word: Ha… funny? Yes. Likable, no!
Todd’s Word: This one is only worth it as a last resort.
Jonathan’s Word: And I think it was at least worth the rental.
SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
Probably not a great one for the kiddos. It would probably be okay for mature teenagers. As we already said, there is some crude humor but it is mild compared to many other PG-13 films.
Conversation Starter
Three Simple Questions (with Answers You May Be Looking for):
- What are some of the messages or themes you observed in this movie?
- How do you suppose we—as serious Christ-followers—should react to this movie?
- How can we move from healthy, Bible-based opinions about this movie to actually living out those opinions?
