Rated PG13

Directed by Michael McCullers

Starring Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Sigourney Weaver, Dax Shepard, Greg Kinnear, Steve Martin

Heidi’s Illustrious Rating: 3

Word of Warning: Full of crude humor and some downright silliness.

I had high hopes for this movie as it starred two of my favorite Saturday Night Live cast members. However, in my illustrious opinion, there are very few good comedies and when ”Baby Mama” finally arrived in my mailbox, I was glad I hadn’t spent the money to see it at the theater.

Tina Fey plays Kate, a corporate climber who has clamored her way to the top of Round Earth, a huge natural food store chain eerily similar to Whole Foods. Single and 37, Kate realizes she’s overlooked one of life’s most wonderful experiences - being a mother. After numerous attempts to get pregnant artificially, Kate finally opts for a surrogate mother. Enter Angie (Amy Poehler) and Carl (Dax Shepard). Angie and Carl are a “common law” couple from South Philly and they are eager to earn a nice paycheck utilizing Angie’s knack for getting knocked up.

Angie isn’t the ideal candidate for surrogacy; while Kate lives the Round Earth life, including a menu of organic foods, Angie eats junk food and smokes. After a big fight with Carl,  Angie moves into Kate’s house and what follows are scenes reminiscent of Saturday Night Live skits strung together to form a movie.

Kate teaches Angie manners, while Angie teaches Kate how to let loose. It’s all highly predictable, but  amusing. I especially like Angie’s obsession with the video game Karaoke Revolution: American Idol - this provided some hilarious scenes.

Greg Kinnear, who seems to be in every movie lately, plays Kate’s love interest. There are two great appearances by Sigourney Weaver, as the owner of the surrogacy center and Steve Martin as the eccentric owner of Round Earth. Despite appearing alongside the great comedians Fey and Poehler, Steve Martin is a scene stealer. 

The movie isn’t perfect. Poehler’s trashy character, Angie-from-the-wrong-side-of-the-tracks, seems to clean up overnight, and some scenes would have worked better as Saturday Night Live skits. Despite the flaws I’d rate ”Baby Mama” a perfect Friday night popcorn movie.