howsheI am not sure if that is the title of the film or in reference to Sarah Jessica Parker’s ability to consistently be endearing and lovable.

I Don’t Know How She Does It. I am not sure if that is the title of the film or in reference to Sarah Jessica Parker’s ability to consistently be endearing and lovable. In this new comedy based on the novel by Allison Pearson we get a healthy dose of SJP who has to carry the film squarely on her lovable shoulders.

Kate Reddy (Sarah Jessica Parker) is a successful financier with two young children and a husband (Greg Kinnear) who is just as busy. When she isn't killing it in the boardroom she is juggling bake sales, birthday parties, and creating monster to-do lists in her head. When she is picked to try and help land a very large client (Pierce Brosnan) she nearly sees it all crash down around her. Traveling is certainly taking a toll on her marriage and her kids. It is then she has to decide what really is most important in her life.

There is nothing ground breaking in this film but the terrain they revisit is done with style, authenticity and straightforward honesty. For those who do not work day in and day out in that sort of environment it seems a little hard to grasp the things that take place. But for those who live it; it is far too common. Plus there were certain avenues that Hollywood loves to travel down that were left out of this one. They easily could have made relationships cliché and predictable. Instead they allowed the characters to makes some right decisions and the overall film is better for it.

The cast is solid and Parker leads the troupes with perfect styling. She is funny when she needs to be funny and when things start to get the best of her you certainly feel her mental strain. Brosnan could do this role in his sleep but manages to add just enough flair to make his character genuine. Olivia Munn nearly steals the humor trophy as Momo Hahn , Kate's personal assistant. She is sarcastically hilarious. The other performances are cameo in nature and are there simply to help move the story along.

I Don’t Know How She Does It is rated PG-13 for adult situations and language. There is nothing overtly offensive in this film and even the language is mild for the genre. Due to the nature of the story it is best suited for those in their 30’s and up.  Those younger than that will find little to relate to. It is a top notch girls night out flick and a great date night film for the married couple where the guy is comfortable in the chick comedy dynamic. I give it 3.75 out of 5 presentations. Solid writing and strong acting always pair well together and this one has both. For those couples who both work and have small kids this might hit close enough to home that you may get more out of it than anyone.


Matt Mungle

Review copyright 2011 Mungleshow Productions. Used by Permission.