As the previews suggested, there are no surprises in this film. No aspects of filmmaking are going to blow you away and you' re not missing much if you don't see it. But for those of you who enjoy a nice and juicy sap-fest, or would like the pleasure of cutie Kate Hudson's company for two hours, then Raising Helen is right up your alley.

You all know the story, don't you? Alright, here it is: Kate Hudson stars as Helen, a successful business woman who works at a top modeling agency in Manhattan. She loves to party, have meaningless relationships and talk her way into VIP areas at clubs and restaurants by using her charm and beauty. But then, one day, her older sister and brother-in-law die in a car wreck and she is chosen to raise her sister's three children. This, at first, greatly upsets Helen and her older sister Jenny (Joan Cusack), who is much-more equipped to motherhood and always believed that she would be chosen as the caretaker. But, of course, as all films like this go, Helen starts doubting herself and decides that she's not fit for motherhood and gives the children away to the aunt, only to turn right around and try to get them back again.

The script is pretty stale with some funny jokes here and there, but nothing special overall. But what really makes this flick shine is its actors. Each and every actor brings their own flavor to their character, making this movie a pleasurable watch, as Kate Hudson has the capability to charm the pants off the toughest guy out there (me, of course). When she smiles, you smile. When she pouts, you pout. When she gets naked....well...only in my dreams, but you get the point. As far as the kids are concerned, the producers made smart decisions in picking the token child actors from each specific age range in Hollywood: Hayden Panettiere (cute kid from Remember the Titans) as rebellious teenager Audrey, Spencer Breslin (cute kid from The Kid) and his real-life sister Abigail Breslin (cute kid from Signs). If only there were a fourth child played by Dakota Fanning, the cute-kid circle would be complete! Since the film revolves solely around the kids, most of the jokes are penned on them. But you may notice that the story leans almost entirely on the cute kid factor to strike our emotional chords, and I'm ashamed to say that most of the time it works. If you don't choke up when you see these three kids crying their eyes out while hiding in their mother's closet during her funeral, then its safe to say that you're hollow inside. And, oh, that precious little Abigail... you can't help but let your guard down every time a tear touches her cheek, even for something as simple as her not being able to tie her shoe. Damn you, casting director!

But the real key player that territory is the brilliant Joan Cusack. Her hilarious portrayal as the over-bearing Aunt Jenny that no one else likes completely stole the show in every scene that she appeared in (which sadly wasn't enough). Humorous noteworthy moments of the film include Jenny barging in on Audrey at a hotel after-prom party for two, where she proceeds to bitch out the jackass that took her there, and Helen's Hispanic neighbor taking a bat (literally) to obnoxious teenagers trying to throw a party at Helen's place. Kudos also go out to the casting of John Corbett, who was a perfect fit for the settle Pastor Dan, Helen's love interest. But perhaps the biggest compliment that I can give Raising Helen is that it has the capacity to make you think outside the box. After watching this picture I started thinking how my life would be if suddenly my parents died and I was forced to take care of my two baby sisters, or if one of my friends died and had requested that I raise their child. I tried to imagine how I would feel going through all those different emotions at the exact same time and how hard it must be for children to go through such a horrible experience as these children did in the film. And then it dawned on me that it was just a movie and I had been thinking about these scenarios and characters for way too long. See what I mean?

While Raising Helen certainly won't be getting any praise for originality, I would still have to recommend it to all the sappy, the girly, and the weak-willed people out there who have nothing better to do. Alright, alright, I'd recommend it to anyone. I just hope that by the end of this review you would know what you're getting into. But as for me, the cast shined so brightly that I was too blinded to notice the unoriginality of it all. So there you have it my friends, the choice is up to you. I'm off to watch Die Hard in attempt to reclaim my manhood...

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