Baby Mama (Universal)
Baby Mama follows the trials and tribulations of cashed up mama that can’t Kate Holbrook (Tina Fey) and working class hire-a-womb Angie Ostrowiski (Amy Poehler). Baby broker Chaffee Bicknell (Sigourney Weaver) lines up the transfer.
Angie soon falls pregnant and falls out with trailer trash boyfriend Carl Loomis (Dax Shepherd). Angie moves across town to rich health nut Kate’s couch, who attempts to convince her incubator to take care of herself, and her foetus. In between babysitting her baby maker and helping meditating boss Barry (Steve Martin) build a new health food emporium, Kate finds time to fall in love with local juice man Rob Ackerman (Greg Kinnear, dishy).
Kinnear’s playing of the utterly perplexed love interest is adorable right up until the point of some utterly predictable physical comedy. Writer Director Michael McCullers has pulled together an experienced comedic cast who play hilarious, if not believable, characters. Martin’s Barry in particular is an absolute caricature in every way. Fey, although outstanding, floats between reality and cartoon. Surprisingly, it’s funny woman Poehler, perhaps through the fact that her ditzy character has more scope, who sustains some kind of grounding.
The film will bring some attention to surrogacy and perhaps open channels to discuss the associated issues. However this isn’t its purpose and any serious issues are generously swathed in American humour.
What Baby Mama lacks in style and grace, it makes up for in cheesy jokes and reasonable plot.
Good light fun.
Lou Pardi
