‘I Don’t Know How She Does It’ (2011)

by 

I have said it before but I’ll say it again: Sarah Jessica Parker is not one of my favorite screen stars. Perhaps it’s a biased opinion on the television show that made her who she is today or perhaps it is the actress herself, but whatever I do not clamor to see her latest flick. This one, her latest is mediocre at best but it had potential.

I Don’t Know How She Does It (2011) Film Review

Juggling motherhood and a career is not as easy as it may look. Boston native Kate Reddy (Parker) should know. As a finance executive, she’s under constant scrutiny at her work and if her boss (Kelsey Grammer) wants her in New York or Atlanta, she goes without complaint. As a result, her home life teeters on the brink of insanity. Her husband (Greg Kinnear) struggles to make his own business work.

‘I Don’t Know How She Does It’ (2011). A review of the 2011 film with Sarah Jessica Parker and Pierce Bronson. Text © Rissi JC

When her boss gives her a new and important client, she is forced to travel more and work closely with the highly respected but demanding businessman Jack Abelhammer (Pierce Brosnan). Even with the invaluable help from her assistant (Olivia Munn) and best friend (Christina Hendricks), Kate is determined to be the homemaker her children need. Birthday parties and doctor appointments take up the free time she does have at home but Kate’s life isn’t just one big juggling act – it’s one where family matters and nothing is going to take that away from her.

Sarah Jessica Parker stars with Pierce Bronson and Greg Kinnear in this #comedy. ‘I Don’t Know How She Does It’ (2011). #Movies #Funny #Reviews #MovieArchives Click To Tweet
FILM REVIEW | ‘What If’ Questions if True Love Can Exist between Best Friends

This comedy did make me laugh a time or two, but I also think it plays into too many stereotypes. These include a husband’s complaint that he never sees his wife or a marital flirtation with danger. The script reads like an adult comedy that is meant to aim its one-liners at mothers who can relate. It comes across as more of a platform for the working mom to let off some steam about unfair treatment in the workplace. While I do grasp this is for dramatic effect, there is a lot of truth in that women still bemoan their place in the work place.

How this is produced takes a bit of getting used to. After the first fifteen minutes, things tend to smooth out and work better. The acting is decent and also includes Busy Phillips, and Jessica Szhor. Fortunately, writers never do overstep in one aspect of the film but it isn’t for lack of teasing. If there is only one thing that could be going for this comedic flick, it’s the ending. It has one of the cutest endings in a long while.

find us on social media: MeWe; Instagram; or Pinterest – and join the NEW reader group on MeWe!

Content: because of a couple dozen sexual references; a brief suggestion implies an abortion that never takes place. Uses of sh*t and other mild profanity pepper the script as do occasional misuses of the lord’s name in vain. The rating is PG-13.

About Rissi JC

amateur graphic designer. confirmed bookaholic. bubbl’r enthusiast. critical thinker. miswesterner. social media coordinator. writer.

4 comments

  1. Well… I thought the ending was one of the better ones to come out of Hollywood. Most movies today don't really "end," they just sort of "stop." I don't really mind it as much as other members in my family do, but still… I do like that "epilogue" of an ending, and as a result, I thought this one was sweet. Do enjoy it, if you decide to see it, Juju. =)

  2. Great review. I agree with you as much as I loved Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie in Sex in the City ~ on the big screen she doesn't dazzle me ~ even in the new Sex in the City movies ~ I just walk away like eh! I have a long commute so I listened to this audiobook ~ the book was AMAZING ~ it's set in London…so the reader had a great British accent ;) I'm one of those people that never like the movies after I've read/listened to the book but what the heck $1 to Redbox ~ I think I'll check it out with the new NY to Atlanta spin.

    Thanks for checking out my blog and following me. I love your blog…following now!!

    ♥ Shia

  3. Thanks, Shia!

    Funny thing is: as much as I DON'T like SJP, I have enjoyed her last three or four big-screen movies. Didn't realize this one was based on a book – now I do. =)

    Thanks bunches for following! Stop in often. =)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

(Enter your URL then click here to include a link to one of your blog posts.)

Optimized by Optimole