Baby Mama
DVD 
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Director:
Michael McCullers Actors: Tina Fey Amy Poehler Greg Kinnear Rating:
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WHAT'S IT ABOUT?
When she discovers the odds of becoming pregnant are slim, go-getter Kate Holbrook (Fey) reaches out to a simple-minded surrogate (Poehler).
IS IT A GOOD MOVIE?
Tina Fey is Kate Holbrook, a Philadelphian VP of an organic food market who has spent her career eyeing promotions. Now 37, Kate decides it’s now or never to have a baby (“Be Fertile!” her Post-its demand). But with one-in-a-million odds, Kate opts to find a surrogate—the dumbest one in the tri-state area, more accurately: Angie Ostrowiski (Amy Poehler).
Most of the movie focuses on the clash of personalities between Kate and Angie. For example, Angie pees in the sink when necessary, while Kate can work the childproof lock on the toilet; Kate can predict the outcome of any America’s Funniest Home Videos clip, while Angie pouts over the spoiler.
Some of the gags are amusing (Fey’s inept dance moves, Poehler’s high-scoring karaoke) but what keeps Baby Mama intact is the chemistry between the duo, who began their Saturday Night Live colleagueship in 2001 and wrapped up their co-anchorship on ‘Weekend Update’ when Fey retired in 2006.
As two of the more creative females to grace the stage of Studio 8H, Fey and Poehler merely need to show up to jolt a little life into the screenplay. Other SNL alum and current cast members Steve Martin, Fred Armisen, and Will Forte do much less in their appearances, as do Greg Kinnear as Fey’s “fruity” love interest, Dax Shepard as Poehler’s deadbeat boyfriend, and Sigourney Weaver as the president of a surrogate agency. This is the girls’ show in and out.
But there’s only so much the team can do; the concept is too standard and faulty in the hands of former SNL writer Michael McCullers. After penning the unlikely hit Mean Girls, based on her own high school mishaps, wouldn’t it have been more logical (and funnier) for Fey to lend her experiences in motherhood (and Emmy-winning mind) to the writing team?
Most of the movie focuses on the clash of personalities between Kate and Angie. For example, Angie pees in the sink when necessary, while Kate can work the childproof lock on the toilet; Kate can predict the outcome of any America’s Funniest Home Videos clip, while Angie pouts over the spoiler.
Some of the gags are amusing (Fey’s inept dance moves, Poehler’s high-scoring karaoke) but what keeps Baby Mama intact is the chemistry between the duo, who began their Saturday Night Live colleagueship in 2001 and wrapped up their co-anchorship on ‘Weekend Update’ when Fey retired in 2006.
As two of the more creative females to grace the stage of Studio 8H, Fey and Poehler merely need to show up to jolt a little life into the screenplay. Other SNL alum and current cast members Steve Martin, Fred Armisen, and Will Forte do much less in their appearances, as do Greg Kinnear as Fey’s “fruity” love interest, Dax Shepard as Poehler’s deadbeat boyfriend, and Sigourney Weaver as the president of a surrogate agency. This is the girls’ show in and out.
But there’s only so much the team can do; the concept is too standard and faulty in the hands of former SNL writer Michael McCullers. After penning the unlikely hit Mean Girls, based on her own high school mishaps, wouldn’t it have been more logical (and funnier) for Fey to lend her experiences in motherhood (and Emmy-winning mind) to the writing team?
THE EXTRAS
Feature Commentary with Writer/Director Michael McCullers, Producer Lorne Michaels, and Cast Members Tine Fey & Amy Poehler: This enjoyable commentary is brimmed with production stories and laughs, making it worth a listen for fans of both Baby Mama and Fey & Poehler.
Alternate Ending (2:30): A couple minutes of post-birth bonding and a birthday party…nothing too different than the theatrical ending.
Deleted Scenes (6:37): There are six here, titled ‘Using a Breast Pump,’ ‘I Hope You’re Not Pregnant,’ ‘The Truth About the Car,’ ‘Finding a Pregnancy Test,’ ‘Double Crossed,’ and ‘That Baby Doesn’t Care.’ None add much to the story, but fans will get a kick out of these.
Saturday Night Live: Legacy of Laughter (3:16): Fey, Poehler, and McCullers reminiscence about their days on SNL and how they helped shape Baby Mama. On-set footage is included.
From Conception to Delivery: The Making of Baby Mama (10:06): Interviews and behind-the-scenes footage backbone this look at the script/story, the cast, and Fey & Poehler’s chemistry.
Alternate Ending (2:30): A couple minutes of post-birth bonding and a birthday party…nothing too different than the theatrical ending.
Deleted Scenes (6:37): There are six here, titled ‘Using a Breast Pump,’ ‘I Hope You’re Not Pregnant,’ ‘The Truth About the Car,’ ‘Finding a Pregnancy Test,’ ‘Double Crossed,’ and ‘That Baby Doesn’t Care.’ None add much to the story, but fans will get a kick out of these.
Saturday Night Live: Legacy of Laughter (3:16): Fey, Poehler, and McCullers reminiscence about their days on SNL and how they helped shape Baby Mama. On-set footage is included.
From Conception to Delivery: The Making of Baby Mama (10:06): Interviews and behind-the-scenes footage backbone this look at the script/story, the cast, and Fey & Poehler’s chemistry.
FINAL DIAGNOSIS
The leads are likable (as they are on their respective NBC shows), but it takes more than just that to get past the stale jokes and weak supporting cast. Those who enjoyed Baby Mama in theaters won't find anything too impressive on the disc, either, that would warrant a purchase.
