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Title: Lowering Expectations
Review: It seems hard to believe that Garry Marshall - creator of some really fine work (The Flamingo Kid, Pretty Woman, The Princess Diaries, Beaches) and a creative workhorse dating back as far as 'The Danny Thomas Show' - would release something as lazy and formulaic as 'Raising Helen.'There were stories during the production that Marshall consistently addressed star Kate Hudson as 'Goldie' (we should be so lucky). That's about the level of attention we get here.I'll give Hudson the benefit of the doubt and assume it's the material that makes her character so unlikable. I figured Felicity Huffman and Joan Cusack could 'raise' "Helen" but Huffman isn't on the screen enough to make an impression and Cusack is handed a role and directed to a performance that makes her look frumpy, unfunny and unpleasant, which is a shame. Check out Richard Linklater's 'School of Rock' - there's a guy who understands how to employ Joan Cusack's comedic skills to maximum effect.
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