Helen Mirren Filmography
Raising Helen
Role: Dominiqueby Elaine Matlock
Raising Helen centers on Helen Harris (Kate Hudson), an assistant to the owner of a modeling agency (Helen Mirren). Her world is turned upside down when her sister (Felicity Huffman) and brother-in-law die in an auto accident and she is awarded custody of their three children. Helen has never raised children and thinks her other sister, Jenny (Joan Cusack) is better qualified. She reluctantly accepts custody and they all move to an apartment in Queens. Helen is forced to change her lifestyle and her focus, which in turn gets her fired from her glamorous job. She thinks her good times are over but in the end Helen learns what is really important.
John Corbett is the male lead Dan, a minister who falls in love with Helen as he guides her in new responsibilities. Joan Cusack plays Helen's older sister with whom she has never gotten along but the only one able to get the nephew and nieces to obey.
The story of children being given to an unqualified caregiver has been recounted numerous times. On this occasion, the relationship between the three sisters gives Raising Helen a different perspective. Kate Hudson is adorable and has good chemistry with the children and hunky John Corbett. The three child actors (Spencer and Abigail Breslin and Hayden Panetierre) are actually childlike with age-appropriate dialogue and behavior. Joan Cusack, as usual, is brilliant and her character adds a necessary touch of reality. The Indian neighbor, Nilma (Sakina Jaffrey) provides delightful comic relief and Helen Mirren as Helen's child-phobic boss, Dominique, drops by occasionally to steal a scene.
This is an engaging film that deals with life choices. It is about playing the cards we are dealt. When Helen is given the burden of raising her sister's children the odds are against her and everyone is telling her she will fail. Helen gradually sees that she must change within before she can rise to the challenge that life has presented. She reluctantly accepts custody and through the difficulties discovers resources she was not aware she had. The children force Helen to take responsibility for them and for herself and thus the title of the movie.
This is not a great or original film but just a pleasant way to spend a couple of hours.
John Corbett is the male lead Dan, a minister who falls in love with Helen as he guides her in new responsibilities. Joan Cusack plays Helen's older sister with whom she has never gotten along but the only one able to get the nephew and nieces to obey.
The story of children being given to an unqualified caregiver has been recounted numerous times. On this occasion, the relationship between the three sisters gives Raising Helen a different perspective. Kate Hudson is adorable and has good chemistry with the children and hunky John Corbett. The three child actors (Spencer and Abigail Breslin and Hayden Panetierre) are actually childlike with age-appropriate dialogue and behavior. Joan Cusack, as usual, is brilliant and her character adds a necessary touch of reality. The Indian neighbor, Nilma (Sakina Jaffrey) provides delightful comic relief and Helen Mirren as Helen's child-phobic boss, Dominique, drops by occasionally to steal a scene.
This is an engaging film that deals with life choices. It is about playing the cards we are dealt. When Helen is given the burden of raising her sister's children the odds are against her and everyone is telling her she will fail. Helen gradually sees that she must change within before she can rise to the challenge that life has presented. She reluctantly accepts custody and through the difficulties discovers resources she was not aware she had. The children force Helen to take responsibility for them and for herself and thus the title of the movie.
This is not a great or original film but just a pleasant way to spend a couple of hours.
