'Life As We Know It'

'Life As We Know It' (PG-13) (rental)

Writers: Ian Deitchman and Kristin Rusk Robinson
Director: Greg Berlanti
Starring: Katherine Heigl, Josh Duhamel, Christina Hendricks, Josh Lucas, Hayes McArthur, Will Sasso, Melissa McCarthy, Andrew Daly, Bill Brochtrup

I might have been a little too harsh on Katherine Heigl with my last few reviews of her movies but only because her last few movies have been garbage. I want to clarify that I do not think she is a bad actress. She was great in "Knocked Up" but when faced with bad characters that were badly written in say crap like "Killers" she didn't have much to work with. That being said she has gone a few steps back up with the diverting, pleasant but kind of sitcom pilot type family drama "Life As We Know It". She plays Holly who goes on a disastrous first date with Eric (Josh Duhamel) set up by her best friend. Holly's friend is happily married with child to Eric's friend and they set up the two on a blind date. When Holly and Eric's friends die in a car crash the couple decide to give the child to Holly and Eric to both raise. Holly and Eric are stunned because they both can't stand each other. The will states that they have to live together and raise little Sophie and Holly feels they should honor that wish.

It is pretty obvious where this is all heading for the developments in the plot are pretty standard stuff. We all know that Holly and Eric will learn to be more mature and will start to have feelings for each other. This is a movie that feels like a set up for a television pilot. It might be a better ideal to watch it at home on the small screen where it might keep your attention. That being said I thought Katherine Heigl was pretty good here as Holly. I also like Josh Duhamel a lot in everything I have seen him in. He is a very likable actor even so much that I didn't believe his character being a jerk on that first date. He is very good here and without his charm in the role this might have been a weaker movie. The baby is cute and there is a nice easy going performance by Josh Lucas as a suitor for Holly. The movie had some moments that were touching, some that were funny and the movie kept my attention throughout. It is not a very good movie but it is so much better than so much of the romantic movie crap lately. It is a small step up but there has to be a great romantic comedy waiting to be told. Oh well, I will have to wait for "Morning Glory" with Rachel McAdams, Harrison Ford and Diane Keaton for the next chance at a great one.