Ah, pregnancy.
Some of us loved it (like me- well, once I stopped puking), some of us hated it, and some of us have completely blocked it out- yet we each have our own story to tell about our experience on our journey to motherhood. The movie adaptation of the world’s most popular pregnancy bible, What to Expect When You’re Expecting, is just that- 5 stories about 5 families each, with very different journeys into pregnancy and motherhood.
My first thought when I heard they were making a movie about a manual was- um, how are they going to do that? I wasn’t the only one, as when I had the opportunity to interview the men and women of the cast, Kirk Jones, the director said, ” I looked at the challenges, and thought this could be pretty tough, you know, making a movie about a pregnancy manual. But what I quickly realized was that what we all look for in movies, was encountered in pregnancy. The three pregnancies I experienced with my wife, were full of some of the funniest, scariest, most dramatic moments of my whole life. So I started to take the idea quiet seriously…but when you look at it dramatically and structurally, pregnancy makes us question our relationships, and our future and if we’re going to be good parents. It’s dramatically a really exciting subject.”
Having lived it myself, I wholeheartedly agree. Which is why I loved this movie. Each couple had their own paths and while some where a bit cliche, they movie still enveloped the realness of pregnancy.
Over the moon about starting a family, TV fitness guru Jules (Cameron Diaz) and dance show star Evan (Matthew Morrison) find that their high-octane celebrity lives don’t stand a chance against the surprise demands of pregnancy. Baby-crazy author and advocate Wendy (Elizabeth Banks) gets a taste of her own militant mommy advice when pregnancy hormones ravage her body; while Wendy’s husband, Gary (Ben Falcone), struggles not to be outdone by his competitive alpha-Dad (Dennis Quaid), who’s expecting twins with his much younger trophy wife, Skyler (Brooklyn Decker). Photographer Holly (Jennifer Lopez) is prepared to travel the globe to adopt a child, but her husband Alex (Rodrigo Santoro) isn’t so sure, and tries to quiet his panic by attending a “dudes” support group, where new fathers get to tell it like it really is. And rival food truck chefs Rosie (Anna Kendrick) and Marco’s (Chase Crawford) surprise hook-up results in an unexpected quandary: what to do when your first child comes before your first date?
As couples, I have to say the pairings were great. Although, the chemistry with Wendy and Gary was a little questionable, the rest of the cast meshed well and were believeable as couples. As I was watching I would laugh out loud cause I remembered bits and pieces of each story in my own pregnancy. I probably related most to Elizabeth Banks in her surprises of the not-so-great moments of pregnancy, but felt like Brooklyn Decker and had JLo’s great want and outlook for a family.
I enjoyed this movie a lot- but, I don’t think it will appeal to someone who doesn’t have kids. Not even a little bit. It’s very much one of those you-kinda-had-to-be-there movies. A lot of the jokes will pass you by because you just don’t know what it feels like. So parents, if you want a few reminiscent laughs- go see this. Single people and new couples? Um, well- it may be good birth control.
I attended a media screening as a member of media. All opinions are my own.
I laughed out loud at your comment about this movie being good birth control for those of use without kids. Thanks for letting me know that I can skip this one.
“those of US” without kids
LOL- Sarah I just wanna say you are awesome! I look forward to your comments every day
i just have to say,even with 6 kids the whole pregnancy and baby havin’ thing still is funny and amazing and I really dont know doo wa about it yet. Two daughters had babies late last year and it is quite the ride whether you are the momma or going along in the passenger seat too…very much like being a “dad” on that other end of things. Literally. i got to see one baby born and it was an emotional high. I am thinking all the stuff in that manual could be very funny…and yes, good BC for sure!
lol thanks for the review! I was thinking I might enjoy this movie, but I myself have no kids. Maybe i’ll watch it now and then re-watch it once that time comes. See how many things went right over my head the first time around. The books they based these off of look great and I’ve been thinking about picking them up for my sister in law since she’s currently pregnant with her first child.
Good review. I was curious about whether the movie would be any good, because they usually aren’t very real in movies about pregnancy. I’m glad to hear it’s worth seeing.
I really want to see this movie, and I think it will be very good. I personally don’t have kids but I think anyone who liked the Backup Plan may like it too.
I really want to see this movie.
Yeah, I wasn’t really sure about this one as I don’t have kids myself (and no plans for the future), but I may still check it out when it comes to DVD because I like some of the actors. Thank you for your honest review.
As someone who isn’t a parent (yet), I completely get the possible birth control side-effect this movie may have on us, lol. The hubby and I have been thinking its time to try to start a fam, but just watching the trailer alone was enough for me to question whether we should help populate the world or not.
I’ve got to go see this now! I love Cameron Diaz
Thanks for the review.
I was a little unsure about seeing this movie. After reading your review I know my husband and I need to go see it. Maybe I will drag my two teenage kids along if it has a birth control side affect.
Thanks for the review! I want to see this movie now)
Thanks for the review. This is good timing, because my sister is pregnant for the first time.
Thanks for the review! Its hard to pull off movies with so many storylines.
Great review
Good review I really want to see this movie, I’m sure I will be able to relate to what the characters went through with their pregnancies and deliveries.
I love Cameron Diaz & i can’t wait to see this movie! I watched her on Chelsea Handler & the movie sounds awesome!
I have had kids, so I am sure I will Love this too. I have been looking forward to this for a while, I am glad you confirmed that its good. Now I have an excuse to drag hubby to go see it. LOL
After reading other review I wasn’t going to see it but your review made me rethink that idea
I read the book when I was a teenager for fun and it scared me.
The movie seems to have that for parents only vibe, but the cast looks impressive. I’ll likely look it up when it’s on DVD.
Thanks for the little “sneak peak” I do enjoy a good comedy, and I will need to check this out
That’s the first thing I wondered when I heard they were making the book into a movie – how are they gonna do that? From the trailer, it looks hilarious, and I’m looking forward to checking it out.
It looks like a pretty funny movie! I may go see it!
Great review — it makes me want to see it more then I already did. Pregnancy, birth and babies is a great topic that often makes people laugh when they share stories.
I don’t have kids so maybe I need to watch because I am thinking on it. Great review. I will see this yet.
I have the book but can’t remember how good it was–so long ago, lol. Funny how some of the actresses in this movie haven’t actually experienced child birth themselves–Cameron Diaz, Anna Kendrick,,