Watch She's Having a Baby
- PG-13
- 1988
- 1 hr 46 min
-
5.9 (13,773)
She's Having a Baby is a 1988 romantic comedy-drama movie written and directed by John Hughes. The film features Kevin Bacon as Jeff and Elizabeth McGovern as Kristy, a newlywed couple who must come to grips with the reality of pregnancy and parenthood. The movie depicts the ups and downs of their relationship as they transition from carefree young adults to responsible parents-to-be.
The movie opens with Jeff and Kristy's wedding, which is a typically lavish affair. From the outset, Jeff appears to be somewhat ambivalent about the idea of settling down and starting a family. However, his doubts are quickly swept aside by the enthusiasm of his loving and supportive wife, Kristy.
As the couple starts their lives together, they face a range of challenges, including financial difficulties, unpredictable careers, and unwanted pregnancy. The movie portrays their relationship with an honest and somewhat gritty realism that balances both humor and drama. Their struggles with infertility and the reality of becoming parents are depicted realistically and compassionately.
Throughout the film, the characters exhibit a great deal of wit and humor, which helps to lighten the heavy subject matter. The film is marked by frequent pop-culture references, and the lively dialogue is typical of John Hughes' writing style.
One of the movie's strengths is the quality of the casting, in particular Kevin Bacon's performance as Jeff. Bacon brings his usual charm and charisma to the role, but also manages to convey a sense of vulnerability and insecurity that many viewers will be able to relate to. Elizabeth McGovern is also excellent as Kristy, portraying her as a strong and assertive woman who isn't afraid to voice her opinions, but also exhibits a great deal of sensitivity and empathy towards her husband's insecurities.
Alec Baldwin also appears in the film, giving one of his earliest performances as Davis McDonald, a self-serving, egotistical ad executive who serves as a counterpoint to Jeff's more introspective personality. Baldwin's character, while comically exaggerated at times, provides an effective foil to Jeff's character and helps to flesh out some of the film's more serious themes.
The movie also features an excellent soundtrack, filled with memorable songs by artists such as Bryan Ferry, Phil Collins, and Kate Bush. This adds to the film's nostalgic feel and helps to establish the period setting.
While the film was initially marketed as a romantic comedy, it quickly becomes clear that She's Having a Baby is much more than that. The film explores themes of identity, coming of age, and the difficulties of adult relationships. It addresses complex issues such as infertility, infidelity and the pressure of societal expectations on young couples. The film does a particularly good job of portraying how couples must navigate their way through parenthood and how they may change in unexpected ways, as well as the value of friendship and the power of community.
Overall, She's Having a Baby is a thoughtful and insightful movie that offers a poignant and perceptive portrayal of life, love, and family. Though it has aged somewhat over the years, particularly with regards to social attitudes and gender roles, the film remains an enduring and thought-provoking classic. It beautifully captures the experiences and emotions of young couples everywhere and provides a window into the realities of parenthood that everyone can relate to. For those who have not yet seen it, She's Having a Baby is definitely worth a watch.
She's Having a Baby is a 1988 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 46 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.9 and a MetaScore of 41.