Raising Helen *** (2004, Kate Hudson, John Corbett, Joan Cusack, Spencer Breslin, Abigail Breslin, Hayden Panettiere, Felicity Huffman, Helen Mirren) – Classic Movie Review 4056

Kate Hudson plays a young woman who becomes the guardian of her sister and brother-in-law three children (Spencer Breslin, Abigail Breslin) after the couple are killed in a car accident.

Director Garry Marshall treads carefully in this enjoyable 2004 laughter and tears romantic comedy drama outing. Hudson does it well, and has good support from John Corbett, Joan Cusack, Spencer Breslin, Abigail Breslin, Hayden Panettiere, Helen Mirren, Felicity Huffman.

Also in the cast are Sakina Jaffrey, Kevin Kilner, Sean O’Bryan, Ethan Browne, Michael Esparza, Katie Carr, Shakara Ledard, Jane Morris, Joseph Mazzello, Catherine Tayrien, Evan Sabara, Paris Hilton, Sandra Taylor and Alan Thicke (as hockey cantor).

Alan Thicke died of a heart attack on 13 December 2016, in Burbank, California, aged 69. He was best known for TV’s Growing Pains (1985), The Alan Thicke Show (1980) and Unusually Thicke (2014).

Garry Marshall died on July 19 2016, aged 81. He was celebrated for directing The Flamingo Kid, Overboard, Beaches, Pretty Woman (1990), The Princess Diaries (2001), Raising Helen, Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day (2016). The comedy writer-director who worked tirelessly in TV and movies for 55 years said: ‘When in doubt, you bring in relatives. Nepotism is a part of my work.’ Marshall worked with actor Elizondo on every film he made, in a major or minor supporting role or an uncredited cameo.

© Derek Winnert 2016 Classic Movie Review 4056

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