User reviews

Kate Reddy lives a busy life. She is a high-rising finance executive and a mother of two young children. She is often away from home, causing family strains and whatnot. What happens when Kate suddenly gets a big assignment, that requires her to stay away from home for more than two months?

To be honest, I was at a struggle to write a summary for this movie. I couldn't think. Words couldn't come to me. This movie didn't do anything for me. The movie played for 80+ minutes, but there was no real progression in its story line. Nothing happened.. Really. After the movie ended, I wondered what exactly was it that the directors wanted to show to its audience.

I don't recommend watching this movie, unless you're looking for a time waster.. If that's the case, go ahead and rent this movie.

Viewed on: November 29, 2011

Honestly, we kind of enjoyed this but by the end we were both agreed that this was good for TV but not really up to film standards - our conclusion was that SJP just doesn't have the presence to pull this off - she's a good ensemble actress, but on her own, as a star, carrying a film? We just couldn't make that leap.

The script has some nice wry observations on marriage, career, and parenting but all-in-all this needs more wit and spark, more oomph. Most of the comedy came from the idea of sexual tension between SJP and Brosnan, and that's just cheap laughs.

This film is aimed firmly at women over 30 who either have to, want to, or who wish they didn't have to juggle children, career, and life. It is wryly amusing and observant occasionally, but there should be lots and lots more of that, the paucity of observation and the safe boundaries means it fails to create anything other than a very safe film that is mostly trite.

While it is admirable for having good strong female characterizations it fails really to go anywhere with it, and above all, SJP just does little to convince us that she's a star vehicle.

All in all, OK with a glass of chardonnay, pretty difficult without....

Kate(Sarah Jessica Parker), is happily married to her husband(Greg Kinnear), and has two great kids. And she also has a great job. But then her job increases to more hours, better pay, but less hours at home. How will Kate manage this all in one.

Sarah Jessica Parker is incredibly annoying, she just mugs for the camera,a good part of the film, I'll just say she was more amusing in Sex and the City. Greg Kinnear is so bland in his role, not that he was bad, he was just there. Pierce Brosnan is a scene stealer has Parkers partner in the film, he just is more charismatic than anybody else in the film. And Olivia Munn has Parkers assistant, is way funnier than Parker, cause she doesn't act like she ate a lot of sugar to get into her role, like the way Sarah Jessica Parker does.

This drivel masquerades as a comedy but offers little more than a misplaced feminist rant. I am sure they expected women to say 'oh it's so true - we DO make lists and we Do multitask!' but please - who exactly was this aimed at - zombie life forms? Maybe they think that women are so tired that they wouldn't notice how cliché-ridden and pathetically hackneyed this offering is? It was not amusing. It was not interesting. It was not original. It did not have a single redeeming quality and I suggest you do not waste your time nor your money on this rubbish.

Indeed I shall waste no more time reviewing it.

The paper-thin plot of this movie revolves around working mother Kate, juggling her way through life. It sounds dull and more appropriate for a sit-com – and definitely would be. I read that the script is based on a novel, which I am determined to ignore, especially after having seen the movie.

Kate is played by SJP, an actress who could easily be described as the female Tom Hanks – albeit slightly less talented. Her likability is enormous, but unfortunately her choice of roles very limited; in her repertoire there are only comedies, most of them remarkable failures at the box office. Her sidekicks in this movie are Greg Kinnear and Pierce Brosnan, two good actors with a wider range, who play respectively her husband and a business associate. One wishes there was more of them on screen. Unfortunately we get plenty of SJP and of her friend played by Christina Hendricks. It could have been any other actress playing second fiddle to SJP, as poor Christina is used only to enunciate a string of questionable statements.

For a comedy there are very few laughers. Actually, none at all from me. The punch lines sounded tired and unfunny and the "real life" situations abused and stale: what about an envious colleague who would like to steal your glory? Or a supportive best friend with a lousy love life? Not to mention the neglected husband. All seen in a million other comedies, most of them better than this one.

The problem with this, and an increasingly larger number of movies, is that they are targeted to a very restricted public. This one is targeted strictly to 1) working mothers with young children, and 2) die-hard fans of SJP. I doubt anybody else will find it even mildly amusing, as it does not work at all as a comedy. Indeed, in the cinema where I saw it, even if the audience was mostly female, only a woman in her mid-thirties laughed out loud.

Being a working mom and constantly evaluating my own choices, I thought this movie would speak to me. It was referred to me by another working mom. Though there was some truth to this movie, overall it was really unwatchable! It was way too clichéd and heavy handed. Sarah Jessica Parker needs a fork stuck in her - she's done. I enjoyed her as Carrie Bradshaw; her continuing to be Carrie in every movie is tedious. The script was so bad, however, that I doubt any lead actress could have salvaged this mess.

Had the movie been WAY less condescending, it might have made some great commentary. The supporting players are not bad. But the mother in law and token judgmental stay at home mom are just way too over the top to be effective. Also, the amount of work Parker's character juggles is unrealistic. I also found the notion that the working dad contributes nearly nothing to the home absurd. How offensive! This movie could have been interesting; instead, it sucks.

I Don't Know How She Does It is another film that actually has a bit of a brain in its head, but rather than recognizing it, many people dismissed it on-sight as a film that was unremarkable and generic. Some even went as far as to call it an outdated look at gender roles. The idea of a mother being the breadwinner of the family and holding down the fort, juggling a big job, kids, scheduling, and a family that needs her now more than ever is not a completely new idea, but outdated? Definitely not.

Does it need to be brought up that the United States is currently in a recession? That people now have longer hours at work with less of a reward, have no foreseeable retirement in their future, have more priorities and more of a fear for their lives and families well-being thanks to an increasingly tumultuous world? I Don't Know How She Does It is slight entertainment, but beneath some of its silliness and eye-rolling circumstances lies a cast with good chemistry, a moral that is still alive and well, and a realistic depictions of the struggles in a modern family's life.

Sarah Jessica Parker is Kate Reddy, a woman in banking attempting to juggle her heavy workload, time with her husband Richard (Greg Kinnear), and more time with her children. When she accepts an even more hectic job by her boss Jack Abelhammer (Pierce Brosnan), things get even more complicated and she begins to lose the time with her family that she values. However, there are bills that need to paid, expenses that won't finance themselves, and work that needs to be done if Kate and her husband want to maintain the lavish home they live in along with all its benefits.

Immediately, this will be written off by some people as wealthy white people complaining when circumstances do not go there way. From the beginning, I feared that I Don't Know How She Does It would fall into the same unfortunate trap Uma Thurman's forgotten film Motherhood did, about another mother trying to juggle all the responsibilities that came with raising children. While the film featured a solid performance by Thurman, it seemed as if nothing more than a look into a bad week in the character's life. Parker's Kate, on the other hand, is having a stressful life and if something isn't done, it will last for years on end.

I think that's the little note people overlooked with this film. Parker lives a life millions of American women (and men) live. Director Douglas McGrath and writer Aline Brosh McKenna (who went on to pen We Bought a Zoo with Cameron Crowe) also gently explore the double standard of women sacrificing their work to attend to their child in need. It is Olivia Munn's Wendy, a coworker of Kate, who explains this in a one-on-one monologue with the camera (a style that is done often in McGrath's film to only some avail). Wendy states how that if a man cuts work to see his child, he is an honorable and dedicated soul. However, if a woman cuts work to see her child, she is disorganized, not devoted enough, and has the company's well being in the back of her mind. I remember my mother, who worked long hours as a nurse when I was a child, tell her coworker on the phone when I had strep throat at age four that she would rather have the illness than to have her young son have it. She cut work to attend to me, and she exerted the opposite of those traits with every move she made.

McGrath does a fine job at getting his cast to demonstrate these circumstances with solid chemistry and a recognition that these problems exist outside in the middle class and upper middle class world. I Don't Know How She Does It is, however, a pretty simplistic iteration of it, but the film regards its subject matter with a sense of realism and maturity, never making Kate one to laugh at (maybe only if you've experienced something she went through, like having your friend's ultrasound appear in your PowerPoint slideshow) and never milking the screenplay for emotions. Kate is obviously a strong, mentally stable woman. She doesn't need your tears.

Starring: Sarah Jessica Parker, Pierce Brosnan, Greg Kinnear, and Olivia Munn. Directed by: Douglas McGrath.

This movie was so bad it gave me heart burn. The only reason i gave this film one was because it ended, as i honestly thought that i was entering one of the many levels hell where i would be destined to spend eternity listening to a bunch middle aged hens moan about life.

Sadly IMDb is telling me i have to write ten lines of text to describe this film. Which is more than the story of this film consisted of to begin with. I am honestly astounded that this "film" was actually made. People had to work and make this.. there was huge amounts of money involved.. deadlines, effort and hundreds of people working that ultimately ended in this.. nothing more than a waste of space, internet and time...

Now that i have reached the minimum ten lines for a review i will stop writing and scour the memory of this film from my mind.

AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE!!

Okay, after reading these comments you'd think this movie was one of the worst ever made. But in reality, it's a really charming way to spend an evening, sort of like hanging out with old friends. Not every family-centered dramedy has to be Kramer vs Kramer or Marriage Story.

The biggest complaint is that there's "no plot," but what I actually think is that people mean there's "no tension." People in this movie are pretty nice to each other and mostly understanding. That's something you don't see often. So, no, there's no big mystery or drama, and no there's not any massive fights or altercations. But what you do get is just a chill time with some down-to-earth people. It's kinda like reading a good book with some champaign on a heated patio during the winter. Had a similar vibe as, say, Eat Pray Love.

Just cozy up to this one and don't expect a lot of drama or tension, just some chill, pleasant vibes.

A mother running a family and keeping a job, how groundbreaking. What's interesting is that Hollywood writers seem to think that working mothers really give a **** about competing with a bunch of Chanel wearing housewives at a stupid school bake sale. I always tell my husband if our child is so easily traumatized she's just not going to make it. Other than the fact that at work you get to meet good looking men who offer you a kind of escape from your daily headaches at home, this movie really isn't all that accurate. It's what I always thought a working mother's life would be...when I was 20 and in business school. Clearly Hollywood never graduated.

I avoided this movie like the plague after I saw negative reviews all over the internet (some of which you'll find on this site) and only picked it up to watch today because I felt like laughing at a terrible movie--and I like Sarah Jessica Parker. It turns out that this movie is super heartwarming and upbeat. SJP is very cute and charming, with none of the stiffness I found a bit off-putting in "The Family Stone". She and Greg Kinnear manage to create a chemistry that is actually believable. And Greg Kinnear is so manly in this film I actually found him a bit strong and handsome. I realize that the story is kind of a fairytale, but overall the movie seems to just be pointing out that it is different to live life in this world as a woman than it is to live it as a man--not just because of the way the world treats us but because of how we see and approach life. Women are capable, special creatures, with their own, unique purpose in the world--not in a "women are less than men and are here to cook and clean" type of way, but in a "the world would be poorer without what women bring to the table" way. To me this film is a celebration of womanhood and the important, myriad roles we play in society along with the joy and compromise that can be found within them. I enjoyed the performances of all the actors and actresses in this movie, although (apart from the two leads) I especially enjoyed Olivia Munn, Pierce Brosnan, and Seth Myers, who I always like to see. If you're on the fence, please ignore the critics and check out this film, it will restore your faith that decent, light, truly funny,feel-good movies do get made in Hollywood.

I found this movie utterly vapid and Kate as completely self-absorbed and frankly lame as SJP's Carrie in Sex and the City. Maybe my view is clouded by the Occupy Wall Street movement, but I just had a really difficult time feeling sorry for the banker with a nanny and a house big enough to fit a tennis court into who conveniently ignores the blessings she does have in favor of whining about being judged for sending her daughter to a school event with a store-bought rather than home-made pie. And that's basically all this movie is - a pity party. It's narcissism at a level that can only be described as a Kate vacuum. They literally had to make sure there was absolutely nothing going on other than what's happening to her - or if there is, that Kate makes it about her - so that Christina Hendricks and/or Olivia Munn wouldn't steal the show with absurd ease.

The book it's based on may be good, but it's British and from what I've heard, contains the kind of dry humor and subtle undertones that Hollywood has become too heavy-handed to be able to portray adequately. As it is, I don't understand how anyone saw enough in this script to make the movie happen. Probably the same thing they see in Sarah Jessica Parker as an actress.

Let me start by saying I LOVE SJP in SATC. She has flopped in most of her major motion pictures, but this is by far, one of the worst movies I have ever seen in my life. Thank goodness my friend had free passes for us, because I can not imagine wasting any amount of money on this garbage. The plot, acting, and entire movie was horrible. It was honestly painful to sit through and I would not recommend this movie to anyone. I love watching movies, and I have seen some bad ones in my time, but this one honestly takes the cake! I do not understand why she continues to be casted in anything because she should have ended her career on a high note with SATC because I don't think she will ever redeem herself as a quality actress.

This film is based on the Allison Pearson book of the same name. The book is set in London and the film set in Boston. Beyond that, this film is true to the book, in that it's poorly-written, unfunny and not original. A far better film was made about the stresses, strains and juggling involved in being a working mother: and that was Baby Boom, starring Diane Keaton.

In this movie, we see Sarah Jessica Parker once again playing Carrie Bradshaw.... complete with the running in heels, the loud smoochy kisses and the lizard-tongue darting out of her mouth when she eats. SJP's acting range begins and ends with Carrie Bradshaw. SJP - same character, different movie. Over and over and over again.

Pierce Brosnan and Greg Kinnear are both charming and endearing in their roles, although I have no idea what made them sign on to this dud (particularly opposite SJP). I'm thinking boredom. Or maybe a bit of extra cash to remodel their kitchens. I have no idea.

If you want to see a more poignant, funny and charming movie about a working woman's work/life balance challenges... watch Baby Boom.

Vacuous, and an insult to all actual working wives and mothers.

How on earth did this nothingness cost so much to produce, and just why was it ever released?

It fails miserably on all criteria.

Why has the movie industry lost the ability to understand the difference between 'A NAME' and 'ACTUAL TALENT'? The rest of the world still knows the difference, hence the slating this movie has received.

So sad to think of all the wonderful, raw, blossoming talent rotting in the gutter. Surely time for the movie industry to grow up, open it's doors and make full use of all those that it has left out in the cold - and to stop insulting us, as the paying public, with garbage like this.

Emma.

The book is actually very good and I encourage anyone to read it. It is a compelling story of a woman facing enormous pressure in her personal and professional life and the stress she encounters trying to address these challenges. The movie dumbs this all down, with a saccharine, occasionally funny look at the working woman. It's not terribly bad to watch if nothing else is available, but if you are seeking insight into the challenges a modern woman faces go elsewhere.

If you want a mildly funny somewhat feel good movie and don't want to pay or Amazon or order on Netflix, consider this.

Someone else could definitely remake the book into a serious look at modern England and American.

I mean, yeah, it's not the greatest movie, it might not even be a good movie, but it's certainly not a bad one either! I felt like I was watching an episode from a TV show, somehow you don't get the fulfillment of a whole movie concept, but the acting was fine and some mums might relate to it! I watched it on DVD though, I might not have paid to see this on cinema, but come on.. 4.4? A lot worse movies than this get much higher ratings. It's an OK movie, give it a chance. I like the actors too, I'm not the biggest fan of SJP but her acting is just fine in this movie. There are some parts of the movie when I might have smiled, but overall I don't think it's a funny movie. Anyway, the point is, just sit back and enjoy for what it has to offer. I thought the bad reviews were a bit overrated.

The movie should have premiered on the lifetime movie network. The story line seemed perfect for that channel, not a theater release movie. SJP plays, Kate, a working mom juggling a promising career and her family. Issues involve her spending time with her kids and hubby and having to travel to New York for business. Kate is such a great person, you know she's not going to screw over her family for her hot business partner. And of course, she even sets him up with one of her friends.

FINAL VERDICT: A movie about a working mom isn't anything great. It's not really funny, but has a few cute moments. But don't go out of your way to watch it.

Why has this movie gotten such a bad rap ? True, it's no great flick and far from a classic, but considering what's out nowadays, I DON'T KNOW HOW SHE DOES IT isn't all that bad. Some good comedy bits, some nice acting and film making make this pretty good. Much more true to life than these action, special effects films with all that fast cutting and editing. At least the camera stays still and no jerkiness of hand held cameras which is so prevalent these days. Story of mother and carrer woman is logical, problems and all. SARAH JESSICA PARKER seems to be on everyones hate list. WHY? Long face and all she turns in a remarkable performance and is great at physical comedy as well. Give the gal a break. The speaking to the camera and narration sides with SEX AND THE CITY and could have been left out. Otherise an enjoyable hour and a half that won't kill anyone. Speaking of killing, no one gets killed, maimed, hurt or otherwise brutalized in this one. So refreshing. Oh, and no foul language and nudity. Nice for a change.

I DON'T KNOW HOW SHE DOES IT is both the title of this shallow film and a question that needs to be posed to Sarah Jessica Parker: why is she continuing to take on films that are way below her talent? Based on a novel by Allison Pearson adapted for the screen (and transferred from England to the US) by Aline Brosh McKenna and directed by Doug McGrath this tale of a woman who everybody thinks is superwoman but in reality is an insecure career focused tinker in too many lines of living (mom of two young kids whose work results in her depending on a nanny to raise her children, wife of an aspiring husband who must take second place to his wife's career, miscommunicating new hire for an important role in finance, etc).

Part of the film's problem is the technique of having the various characters talk to the audience, often without even eye contact, trying to make the whole story hang together. Sarah Jessica Parker (looking worn out and saggy) is the star of the film as Kate Reddy, Greg Kinnear is her it's-OK-to-be second-rate husband, Christina Hendricks has a bit of sparkle as Kate's omnipresent girlfriend, Olivia Munn is her Harvard trained office gopher, Pierce Brosnan is her important new boss who sort of sees her for what she is, Kelsey Grammar is her usual boss who is accompanied by the office smart mouth Seth Myers. A lot of fine talent here pretty much wasted on a story so full of clichés and standup comedienne routines and physical pratfalls that is sinks under its own weight. How these films make it is a question that makes us take a look at what pleases current audiences. Pass.

Grady Harp

Having been there and done that, i cannot agree with the reviews panning this movie.....

There is a lot of truth and déjà vu in this film for every mother that has ever tried to juggle two full time jobs (career and home) - even if not on Wall Street.

Sarah Jessica Parker (and a truly wonderful supporting cast) warmed my heart with her tireless efforts to live up to the role of perfect mother while desperately clinging to the facade of cool professional who carries no "baggage" with her to work and is the equal, if not superior, to her male colleague lurking in the shadows waiting for the opportunity to pounce and reap the spoils at the first sign of a slip-up.

This is the story of a strong woman who keeps her eye on the (both) prize(s)and does so with humor and panache - and I love her for it.

I can foresee that her character will still be juggling those roles even when her kids are in their 30's and doing their own juggling acts. I know I am.

Sarah Jessica Parker hasn't had the most stellar film career after ending SATC but i think it's mainly due to the fact that she immortalized the character of Carrie that no matter what role she plays from now on will seem mediocre, especially one like this which is miles away from the hip Manhattan-ite we all know and love. I don't understand the extremely low rating and terrible reviews for this movie, for me it was a lot of fun.

I honestly laughed a lot through this movie and isn't that what a comedy is supposed to make a viewer do? Granted yes it may be cliché in parts but that sure is nothing new in Hollywood, the storyline is a quite done and dusted storyline but it does try to put its own kind of twist on it, helping with his are the interview shots with Christina Hendricks and Busy Philips, two women who have polar opposite ideas of what women should be and this adds a lot to the movie i thought, i personally sided with the Christina Hendricks viewpoint as i'm sure most people also do. It is only joked about but there is totally a double standard with men and women when it comes to juggling work and family and this movie handles it quite well i thought.

Sarah Jessica Parker is just so easy to watch in no matter what she is in, every time you hear her voice it's like hearing and old friend, and i might add she really pulls out some comic edge in this movie, i found her hilarious, the supporting cast are also pretty good, Christina Hendricks standing out a the supportive best friend, her role is slightly underused but she still stands out, also worth mentioning is Busy Philips in a great role which is very out of character for her, she should do more comedy.

So this movie is far from the greatest thing ever, but it's entertaining, easy to watch, the characters are relatable and there are lots of laughs to be had if you just go with it. Try and enjoy.

Cliché-ridden, irritating mess of a movie with Sarah Jessica Parker (no range whatsoever; must we see yet another variation of Carrie Bradshaw?) as a career gal with kids and yada yada yada and who cares. Why was this movie made? Who is this movie for? How does Parker keep getting roles?