Maybe Baby

Starring:Curtain, Coleman, Duffy
Studio: Platinum Disc
Product Type: DVD

Average customer rating:

"Never judge a DVD by its cover" - a lesson from the film Maybe Baby.
A Little Disappointing
Maybe Baby
funny for a fluffy British movie
funny and heartbreaking

Maybe Baby
Starring: Rowan Atkinson , Dawn French , Hugh Laurie , Joanna Lumley , and Joely Richardson
Director: Ben Elton
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00007ELEZ
Release Date: 2002-11-05

Amazon.com

Joely Richardson shines in Maybe Baby, about a thirtysomething British couple struggling to have a child. After dabbling in fertility rituals and having sex according to a rigorous ovulation schedule, Lucy (Richardson) and Sam (Hugh Laurie) find their relationship tested by temptation; Lucy starts to yearn for a hunky young actor that her talent agency is representing, and Sam starts writing a seriocomic screenplay about their infertility--which he doesn't tell Lucy about, because she's already forbidden him to write it. Everything is fine until Sam delves into her diary in order to get a better grip on a woman's consciousness and learns more than he bargained for. Maybe Baby is a sincere and lighthearted movie, sprinkled with comic turns from Emma Thompson, Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean), Joanna Lumley (Absolutely Fabulous), and others. Laurie is solid, but it's Richardson's charm and intelligence that makes it work. --Bret Fetzer

Customer Reviews:

"Never judge a DVD by its cover" - a lesson from the film Maybe Baby........2007-05-28

I love British comedy. I, in fact, was having a conversation with a friend yesterday mentioning that the big difference between American comedy and British is the fact that they believe in more wit than physical humor. I love the humor of the BBC version of "The Office" as well as "Black Books" or "Vicar of Dibley" because instead of body humor or slapstick, they use their minds and command of the language. Rowan Atkinson is an exception, but his humor defies all boundaries. This is the reason I find myself enjoying less and less of what the major networks release, and focusing on what the BBC has to offer. I just finished watching a great series called "Clatterford", which is as dry as many martinis, but still a breath of fresh air compared to things like, "Notes from the Underbelly", Everybody Loves Raymond", or "The Real Wedding Crashers" (I realize the last doesn't quite fit, but I still need to include it among America's finest). So, when it was presented to me to watch a BBC film release staring some of Britain's finest like Hugh Laurie, Emma Thompson, Dawn French, and, my favorite, Rowan Atkinson - I jumped at the chance. I had seen through "Nine Months" how America took over pregnancy, now I wanted to see how the BBC would do it. Alas, folks, all I can mention is how I wish some form of contraceptive, coupled with pain killers, were used to foil the plot and dull the pain.

"Maybe Baby" had quite a bit of potential - let me quickly list them off - a cast that is dynamite when it comes to comedy; a story that had the potential to be quite humorous, hysterical in fact; the parody of Danny Boyle could have been blown up considerably - adding to the goofiness of the plot; and finally, let me add, the cast again - Emma Thompson, Rowan Atkinson, Dawn French, and Hugh Laurie are some of the best that Britain has to offer and are typically guaranteed to make anyone in their right mind laugh. This said, why did this film hit the ground at the fastest speed possible thoroughly, and painfully, hurting everyone in it's path. "Maybe Baby" is quite possibly one of the worst films that I have seen this year because it is the biggest disappointment with such potential that I have ever witnessed. Our story is simple to write down, but on screen it is utterly disastrous. The BBC wants to be more cutting edge, Sam and Lucy want children but cannot conceive (does anyone see the humor yet), so we combine the pair. Sam begins writing about his life with his wife, the trials and tribulations of medically attempting to conceive, mixed with funny jokes that somehow only make the cast members laugh. Lucy finds out the truth, Sam grows a beard, and the end - well, is everything one would expect from an American romantic comedy. No surprises. No laughter. No excitement. Overall, I have discovered an American Hollywood film trying to pass as British intelligence. I call it The "Maybe Baby" Conspiracy.

I would like to begin this very negative review by saying Joely Richardson is by far one of the worst actresses I have witnessed in film. Maybe I haven't seen enough of her work to make that sort of comment, but after seeing "Maybe Baby", I feel confident in my response. Every scene was nothing but script reading and comic mis-timing. Nothing coming from her mouth seemed worth repeating or re-watching. She played the role of dumb blonde very, embarrassing, well. The scenes in which she has to show emotion was like watching cardboard try to cry, and that is not an over exaggeration. She attempts to show us a relationship with Sam (Hugh Laurie), but instead of a chemical romance, they seem to be enjoying the role of two actors playing a role. There is nothing to evoke emotion between the two of them. I didn't even think they were in "love" by the end of the film, they were a relationship of convenience and comfort. BEWARE! I need to add this about the remainder of the acting because this film may be misleading - Emma Thompson is in it for about three minutes, adding nothing of value or humor to the overall twist of the plot. Rowan Atkinson is a refreshing snack, but like everyone else, adds no meat to the film (it reminded me of Robin Williams in "Nine Months"). Then there is Dawn French - don't get me started here because it remains pitiful and a waste of talent. Coupled with the stagnet portrayals from the surrounding cast it just becomes a very painful moment in cinema as each minute passes.

The plot is devastating. With a cliché storyline we already know how it will end and what the characters will be doing/reacting before they probably do, I would hope the typical British wit would resonate strongly with the actor's dialogue. That, alas, is missing from this film. We are bombarded with characters that care nothing about money, are emotionless unless forced to be, and driven by no inner motivation outside of the paycheck. The lyrics to this film are even painful. There were no funny, punny, or laughable moments throughout the course of this film, which irritated me to no end. With such a bold cast, I wanted to be rolling on the floor with hysterics, but alas, nothing happened. The stale emotion translated well into the stale voice being heard from each of the voided characters. I wanted charm, wit, talent, and appeal with this film. I wanted to prove that American dictatorship over film hadn't leaked into the BBC mainstream, but again - I couldn't believe that I was that wrong.

"Trainspotting" is a film that defined a nation and brought a new wave of cinema into our theaters. I don't think a horrid film like "Maybe Baby" has the right to poke fun at it. I don't mind intelligent hobnobbery, but with this film it was just plain rude to Danny Boyle.

Overall, I cannot suggest this film to anyone even the most bland of comedy fans. Remember, if you choose to pick up this vile cinematic sludge, this is pre- "House" days, so do not see Laurie as what we Americans have come to expect from him. "Maybe Baby" is too big for its britches, as it tries to pack too much comedy into a nothingless film - thus transforming the comedy into a forgettable piece of garbage. There was nothing of value in this film, and while director Ben Elton has made his name in "Blackadder", I don't believe he has remembered much of his upbringing. After seeing this film, I would have to advise Elton to avoid working behind the cameras ever again. This was a very big disappointment for me as I had big hopes for this little film with big names.

The subtitle for this film should be: Never Judge A DVD By Its Cover.

Grade: * out of *****

A Little Disappointing.......2007-05-23

I've become a Hugh Laurie fan since I started watching House, and I was interested in his earlier work. My disappoinment comes from finding out the extent of the editing from the British version to the American version. Right now, I couldn't have played the Region 2 version because I have a standard DVR, but I do plan to upgrade soon, and I resent the fact that if I want to see the "complete" movie (with features, which were NOT included in the Region 1 version) I'll have to buy the other version. It's as though the House DVD's sold in Britain were missing an episode for each season. In other words, a truly stupid idea. As far as the actual content of the movie, it is cute, and some of it is downright funny (especially Dawn French and Rowan Atkinson). The "dramatic" parts are a little overwrought (the Hugh Laurie character supposedly "betrays" the Joely Richardson character by secretly making a movie about the couple's fertility struggles, but she is so obssessive in her child quest that you wind up feeling sorry for HIM). Who knows? Maybe the less edited (i.e., British) version makes more dramatic sense, but I won't know unless I buy it, will I?!?

Maybe Baby.......2007-05-14

Delightful story, laughed and cried equally. Some of the situations tore at my heart strings, while others scatterbrained and truely laughable. Hugh Laurie, as he does in the series "House" fit into the skin of his character.

funny for a fluffy British movie.......2007-01-03

I loved "Mr. Bean" in this as the OBGYN... but as a movie, I could only watch it once. The two leads were good together. There were some painful moments, as to what happens between them and their struggle to have a child. But in the style of good romance, it all works out in the end.

funny and heartbreaking.......2006-12-11

This is a wonderful film filled with laughs and tears. It will certainly touch a chord with anyone who has ever tried and tried to have a baby, only to have every effort fail. Those of us who have unfortunately been in those circumstances will identifiy with the characters played (magnificently) by Hugh Laurie and Joley Richardson. You'll laugh at the absurdity of the medical proceedures they go through in order to conceive a child and share in their heartbreak when everything falls apart. My husband didn't think he would like this movie as he thought it was a "chick flick" but 10 minutes into the film he was laughing - and crying - as hard as I was. I swear this movie brought us closer together.

Average customer rating:

Maybe Baby
Starring: Marla Adams , David Bowe , Jane Curtin , David Doyle , and Julia Duffy
Director: Tom Moore
Manufacturer: Platinum Disc
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Average customer rating:

There is more to a "maybe" Q/A

Maybe A Baby
Director: Theresa Ala Mode
Manufacturer: Internal Combustion
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Similar Items:

The Parenthood Decision
Do I Want to Be A Mom? : A Woman's Guide to the Decision of a Lifetime
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Maybe Baby: 28 Writers Tell the Truth About Skepticism, Infertility, Baby Lust, Childlessness, Ambivalence, and How They Made the Biggest Decision of Their Lives
I'm Okay, You're a Brat!: Setting the Priorities Straight and Freeing You From the Guilt and Mad Myths of Parenthood

ASIN: B000B51SOQ
Release Date: 2005-08-23

Description

Maybe A Baby is a documentary about what role the choice of motherhood plays in a womanâ€™s life. The filmmaker interviews women who have had children and those who have not, as well as follows a pregnant woman through the birth of her baby in order to understand the consequences of motherhood. The compelling interviews of how each woman attempts to address these issues in their life reveals the challenges many women have in attempting to exert control over their own happiness. Women who are on the fence about having a child will find this film helpful in making their own decision.

Customer Reviews:

There is more to a "maybe" Q/A.......2006-03-13

I found this to be VERY enlightening. I really liked / enjoyed the multiple sides of the issue (rather to have a child or not) that Theresa Eberhage exposes from various moms and "non-moms." I especially enjoyed the good common sense and "history" of the decision making process that Theresa own mother brought to this documentary. I know that their were some male responses to this dilemma, but I was left wondering more about what a male's perspective on having a child may be. As for a female's response to the questions of having children, no stone was left unturned. The interviews were honest and seemingly natural. I totally liked the genre in which the interviews were lead. I found the progression of the documentary easy to follow and that the exploration of this conundrum left answered and unanswered.....enough information was give for one to find their own conclusion, but not so much as to answer the question for you. Perfect. Thanks, a documentary of this nature has been long overdue. Kudos to the Eberhage's for doing such a great job!!!

Average customer rating:

Maybe Baby/Dixie Changing Habits
Starring: Maybe Baby , and Dixie Changing Habits
Manufacturer: Platinum Disc
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000BDH680
Release Date: 2005-09-12

Harvey/Maybe Baby/Sweet Talker/Best Legs in the 8th Grade

Average customer rating:

Harvey/Maybe Baby/Sweet Talker/Best Legs in the 8th Grade
Starring: Harry Anderson , and James Belushi
Manufacturer: Platinum Disc
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0009KA83U
Release Date: 2005-06-07

Average customer rating:

"Never judge a DVD by its cover" - a lesson from the film Maybe Baby.
A Little Disappointing
Maybe Baby
funny for a fluffy British movie
funny and heartbreaking

Maybe Baby
Starring: Rowan Atkinson , Dawn French , Hugh Laurie , Joanna Lumley , and Joely Richardson
Director: Ben Elton
Manufacturer: Polygram USA Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( M ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Girl From Rio
The Gun Seller
A Bit of Fry and Laurie - Season One
A Bit of Fry and Laurie - Season Two
The Young Visiters

ASIN: B000062XFI
Release Date: 2002-04-09

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

"Never judge a DVD by its cover" - a lesson from the film Maybe Baby........2007-05-28

A Little Disappointing.......2007-05-23

Maybe Baby.......2007-05-14

funny for a fluffy British movie.......2007-01-03

funny and heartbreaking.......2006-12-11

Average customer rating:

"Never judge a DVD by its cover" - a lesson from the film Maybe Baby.
A Little Disappointing
Maybe Baby
funny for a fluffy British movie
funny and heartbreaking

Maybe Baby
Starring: Joely Richardson , Matthew Macfadyen , Hugh Laurie , Adrian Lester , and Yasmin Bannerman
Director: Ben Elton
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

( M ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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