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Baby Mama

When did pregnancy comedies become a trend?

By Geoff Berkshire

Metromix
April 24, 2008

Critic's Rating:

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Successful, single businesswoman Kate Holbrook (Tina Fey) has it all, but what she really wants is (guess what) a baby. So she sets out to become the “youngest VP but oldest mom” at her company by hiring white-trashy surrogate Angie Ostrowiski (Amy Poehler) to deliver a child for her.

Big question: Fey has carved out quite a career for herself, especially for someone who never had serious on-camera ambitions. How does her first starring role in a movie stack up?

Catch it: If you’re hoping for the sharp comedy associated with Fey thanks to “30 Rock” and “Mean Girls,” you won’t find it here. “Baby Mama” is more like an above average “Saturday Night Live” sketch. It’s broad and slightly familiar but good for a few laughs. It helps that writer and first time director Michael McCullers was fortunate enough to assemble a top notch cast—even small roles are filled with big talents like Sigourney Weaver, Holland Taylor and Steve Martin—and smart enough to let their individual charms overcome his own shallow script and pedestrian direction.

Skip it: To avoid feeling guilty about your morning smoothie when Kate’s independent juice bar owner love interest Rob (Greg Kinnear) blasts Jamba Juice as “corporate juice pimps.”

Bottom line: A refreshing change of pace from the frat boy fodder and standard romantic comedies that Hollywood usually offers up, “Baby Mama” is worth seeing if only for the rare chance to see a comedy headlined by two women (over 35!). But don’t expect a revolution: someone pees in a sink, Angie and Kate karaoke “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” and there are enough lingering close-ups of cute babies to make it clear the movie is safe for anyone scared by “30 Rock’s” “edgy” sensibilities.

Bonus: Despite her perpetually single status in front of the camera, in real life Fey is actually married and has a child with composer Jeff Richmond. He’s responsible for the music on “30 Rock” and the score for this movie.