Raising Helen

Last Updated on: June 26th, 2024

Raising Helen (Touchstone Movie)

“Raising Helen” is a 2004 comedy-drama film directed by Garry Marshall. The movie stars Kate Hudson as Helen Harris, a successful and carefree fashion model living in New York City. Her life takes a sudden turn when she becomes the guardian of her sister’s three children after her sister and brother-in-law are killed in a car accident.

Helen’s glamorous and carefree lifestyle is completely upended as she struggles to adjust to her new responsibilities as a parent. With little experience in parenting and juggling her career, Helen faces numerous challenges in raising the three children – teenager Audrey (Hayden Panettiere), preteen Henry (Spencer Breslin), and young Sarah (Abigail Breslin).

As the story unfolds, Helen navigates the complexities of being a single parent while trying to maintain her job and personal life. She faces conflicts with the children, deals with social workers, and tries to balance her own desires with the needs of her new family.

Throughout the film, Helen’s character undergoes significant growth as she learns to put the needs of the children first and discovers the true meaning of family. She forms a strong bond with the kids and eventually finds her true calling and purpose in life.

“Raising Helen” blends humor and heartwarming moments, exploring themes of family, sacrifice, and personal growth. The film also features a talented supporting cast, including Joan Cusack, John Corbett, and Helen Mirren.

While “Raising Helen” received mixed reviews from critics, Kate Hudson’s performance was praised for its charm and emotional depth. The film has garnered a following among audiences who appreciate its touching story and positive messages about the importance of family and the resilience of the human spirit.


Raising Helen


Additional Details

Cast

  • Kate Hudson: Helen Harris
  • John Corbett: Pastor Dan Parker
  • Joan Cusack: Jenny Portman
  • Hayden Panettiere: Audrey Davis
  • Spencer Breslin: Henry Davis
  • Abigail Breslin: Sarah Davis
  • Helen Mirren: Dominique
  • Sakina Jaffrey: Nilma Prasad
  • Kevin Kilner: Ed Portman
  • Paris Hilton: Amber
  • Felicity Huffman: Lindsay Davis
  • Sean O’Bryan: Paul Davis
  • Amber Valletta: Martina
  • Ethan Browne: Devon
  • Joseph Mazzello: Prom date Peter
  • Michael Esparza: BZ
  • Katie Carr: Caitlin
  • Héctor Elizondo: Mickey Massey
  • Larry Miller: Leo D’Leo
  • Shakara Ledard: ‘Tinka’

Crew

  • Director: Garry Marshall
  • Producers: Ashok Amritraj and David Hoberman
  • Screenplay: Jack Amiel and Michael Begler

Movie Trailer:




About the Author

Craig Smith
I am founder and editor of DisneyNews.us. My passion for all things Disney goes pretty far back to my first trip to Walt Disney World in the mid-80's. I have since returned to the magical place more than 20 times. I started this site when I came to the realization that I spent a significant portion of my day reading articles about Disney and watching Disney content with my 8-year old, so it made sense that I would start sharing some of what I read and see and building a little community around it. Other interests include 80's nostalgia, vintage toys, video games, LEGO, Star Wars and tech gadgets. Other site isDMR.