When To Expect When You're Expecting

What To Expect When You're Expecting

From a barren Hollywood wasteland, left wanting and sparse by such hits as Knocked Up and The Hangover, comes a much-maligned comedy centred around the notion of couple-ship, moving in together, marriage and parenthood.

A cast featuring Elizabeth Banks, Cameron Diaz, Anna Kendrick and J-Lo is sure to appeal to many casual cinema-goers who would find something intriguing in each of those actresses, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, especially since the least familiar of those within Hollywood, Kendrick, starred in well-received hits 50/50 and Up in the Air, establishing herself as an attractive and likeable newcomer.

Whilst not necessarily the film's main problem, but something which raises more than a few eyebrows, is the male side of the cast. Chris Rock and Matthew Morisson (Glee) aside, the film doesn't really boast any household names to provide the film any sort of appeal to any on-looking (and reluctant) boyfriends. However, this is merely a drop in the ocean, compared to the film's actual problems.

The problem with this film is that it is immensely smug, doesn't really tackle any real issues, and instead tries to sugar-coat the serious issues of life, without actually passing them off in any way which even closely resembles comedy. The one breath of fresh air put in front of the audience mere moments from the end of the film, genuinely poses an actual question and puts forth the morbid and downright tragic ramifications that childbirth can trigger. Sadly, this moment is pretty much brushed over, and instantly loses any and all impact.

Which pretty much sums up the film. A shambles of a film, which does nothing but pretend to raise genuine issues, but does so in a way which nullifies its end objective, and instead makes you wonder why Hollywood bothers making these sorts of films.

3/10