RAISING HELEN

Year: 2004
USA: Buena Vista Pictures Distribution
UK: Buena Vista International (UK)
Cast: Kate Hudson, John Corbett, Joan Cusack, Hayden Panettiere, Spencer Breslin, Abigail Breslin, Helen Mirren, Sakina Jaffrey, Kevin Kilner, Felicity Huffman, Sean O'Bryan, Amber Valletta, Ethan Browne, Michael Esparza, Katie Carr, Shakara Ledard, Jane Morris, Joseph Mazzello, Catherine Tayrien, Evan Sabara, Paris Hilton, Sandra Taylor, Wesley Horton, Bernie Hiller, Shanda Renee, Brigitta Lauren, Shannon Wilcox
Director: Garry Marshall
Country: USA
UK: 119 mins
USA Rated: PG-13 for thematic issues involving teens
UK Certificate: PG contains mild sex references and language
USA Release Date: 28 May 2004
UK Release Date: 27 August 2004


Synopsis

After rising to fame in ALMOST FAMOUS and hot off the hit HOW TO LOSE A GUY IN 10 DAYS, Academy Award® nominee (and brand-new mom) Kate Hudson stars in RAISING HELEN, a romantic comedy from director Garry Marshall (PRETTY WOMAN, RUNAWAY BRIDE, THE PRINCESS DIARIES).

Helen Harris (Kate Hudson) is living the life she always dreamed of. Her career at a top Manhattan modeling agency, working for Dominique (Helen Mirren), is on the rise; she spends her days at fashion shows and her nights at the city's hottest clubs. But her carefree lifestyle comes to a screeching halt when one phone call changes everything. Helen soon finds herself responsible for her sister's children - 15 year-old Audrey (Hayden Panettiere), 10 year-old Henry (Spencer Breslin), and 5 year-old Sarah (Abigail Breslin).

The fun begins as Helen goes through the transformation from super hip to super mom. No one doubts that Helen is the coolest aunt in New York, but what does this glamour girl know about raising kids? She quickly finds that dancing at 3 a.m. doesn't mix with getting kids to school on time - advice that Helen's older sister, Jenny (Joan Cusack), is only too quick to dish out.

Along the way, Helen finds support in the most unusual place with Dan Parker (John Corbett), the handsome young pastor and principal of the kids' new school and realizes the choice she has to make is between the life she's always loved and the new loves of her life.

The film's story is written by Patrick J Clifton & Beth Rigazio with a screenplay by Jack Amiel & Michael Begler.