What to Expect When You’re Expecting opens today and Sassy Moms in the City had a chance to preview earlier this week. Although my kids are 4 and 2, I was excited to relive those days of pregnancy. There are moments I wish I could have one more baby but that is NOT an option, so I live vicariously through the movies.
Inspired by New York Times bestseller of the same name and the first book in a series that has sold over 32 million copies worldwide, WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU’RE EXPECTING is a funny, heartfelt comedy about five couples whose intertwined lives are turned upside down by the challenges of impending parenthood. The star studded cast features Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez, Elizabeth Banks, Brooklyn Decker, Dennis Quaid, Matthew Morrison and Chris Rock.
Cameron Diaz plays TV fitness guru Jules who begins a romance with dance show star Evan (Matthew Morrison) when she competes as a contestant. Imagine Derek Hough and becoming pregnant with his love child. Cameron overacts and makes her usual annoying facial contortions, while Elizabeth Banks, Jennifer Lopez and Chris Rock shine with memorable performances.
All five couples become parents but each experiencing vastly different journeys. At times it is difficult to understand the connection if there is any, between the couples, however in the end their lives all connect in some capacity.
Elizabeth Banks plays a baby-crazed author and breast-feeding advocate who has difficulty becoming pregnant. To her disappointment, pregnancy is not what she expected and finds it difficult to endure hormone surges, weight gain and all the “fun” things that accompany pregnancy. Meanwhile her much younger mother-n-law played by Brooklyn Decker eases through, looking amazing and stress-free making the dynamic between these two women hilariously entertaining.
Jennifer Lopez is Holly, a photographer who will do anything to adopt a child while her husband Alex is not so sure. Alex is encouraged to join a “dudes” (aka dads) group for support, where a group of fathers meet in the park, kids in tow while swapping parenthood stories. This is where Chris Rock comes in. As the leader of the tell it like it is group, the scenes are funny but obviously exaggerated. The dads come off as being entirely too goof and not relatable.
WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU’RE EXPECTING finds humor through the unexpected trials and triumphs of welcoming a child into the world. Overall I enjoyed and would recommend seeing, however just like any movie trying to emulate real life, there were many scenes that were awkward and ridiculously over the top. If you can overlook the silliness, it makes a great night out with your man or girlfriends.
I would take my husband to see the movie because many of the scenes brought back memories of my pregnancy. I would also take my girlfriends even those that did not have kids.
