Movie Review: ‘I Don’t Know How She Does It’

Parker modest highlight in otherwise mediocre movie

By Kayla Riley

Posted on Sept. 28, 2011, at 10:16 p.m.

Despite leaving “Sex and the City” and her character Carrie behind her and only starring in mediocre romantic comedies since, Sarah Jessica Parker keeps getting film roles.

I don’t know how she does it.

For the people who poured money into “I Don’t Know How She Does It,” Parker still has a lovable charm about her, despite the toll that age and countless forgettable chick flicks have taken on her image.

With the support of the effervescent Christina Hendricks of “Mad Men,” the cheeky Pierce Brosnan and adorable Greg Kinnear, Parker took the flimsy film to heights it probably would not have reached otherwise.

Parker’s character Kate Reddy is a married, middle-aged mother of two trying to make it work in Boston as a hotshot financial executive. Between juggling her work and personal life, which encompasses her kids, husband, friends and maintaining her sanity, Reddy finds she’s having trouble keeping it together.

Her near-constant voiceover narrates her crazy life, from sleepless nights to early mornings, from extended board meetings to awkward office run-ins.

Reddy’s husband Richard is currently a stay-at-home dad, since the poor economy has left the architect jobless. He appears to take this role on with ease and good humor, but obviously misses his wife and struggles with the side effects of her long hours and enormous workload.

Many famous faces grace this film, from Jessica Szohr of “Gossip Girl” playing a young nanny to Kelsey Grammar playing Clark Cooper, a kind but stern boss.

Along with suffering the trifles of a cutthroat, male-dominated work environment, Parker has to worry about the women who she refers to as the “momsters” — perfectionist mothers who never seem to have a hair out of place or a cookie poorly baked.

Fresh, funny moments like the encounters with the momsters add a key element to “I Don’t Know How She Does It,” which would seem stale without them.

For many women, this film will praise their efforts and recognize a demographic that Hollywood often ignores today. Though it’s not the most honest portrayal of the average woman juggling work, home and personal life, it has moments of rawness that bring viewers back to earth, if only for a moment.

Parker’s voiceovers somehow remain endearing and entertaining throughout the film and is ever so slightly reminiscent of her Carrie days, though this time without the sex or shoe addiction. She punctuates slow moments with her chipper commentary, often outlining scenes in original ways that encourage the audience to tip their hats to the film editors.

The added insights of other characters in the movie sprinkled throughout add a sense of realism and novel-like aspect that again add interest to an otherwise bland storyline.

Brosnan is in typical stodgy British form but with the slightest hint of humor. His interactions with Parker’s character subtly suggest an air of romance, but never wade into the extramarital bog. The dance between the two characters adds an unexpected layer of drama, but sadly for the entertainment value of the film, doesn’t become more than a string of sideward glances.

Go in expecting a cutting-edge masterpiece that caricatures the complications of an upper-middle class family and chances are you’ll demand your matinee money back. But go in seeking a play-date-friendly mommy drama about the perils of domestic life that’s not short on laughs or slapstick-style humor, and you’ll leave the theater satisfied.

“I Don’t Know How She Does It” is more of a cinematic grilled cheese than a hanger steak. It’s warm, familiar and pleasing to the senses but nothing to hand a little golden man to.

Grade: B

This entry was posted on Wednesday, September 28th, 2011, 10:16 pm. You can follow any responses to this article through the RSS feed.