FAITH talks to ‘Raising Helen’ cast
Kate Hudson and cast
discuss faith and parenting

FAITH’s Alton Pelowski was part of an exclusive group of journalists to interview the cast of ‘Raising Helen,’ which director Garry Marshall calls “a tribute to motherhood.”

Since giving birth to her first child January 7, actress Kate Hudson has seen her most recent movie, “Raising Helen,” through a different lens. Watching the movie “was so much more emotional when I was a mother,” she says. She describes being a new mother as “incredible, and then some. It’s overwhelmingly beautiful.” Her relationship with her husband, musician Chris Robinson, has even taken on a deeper level of respect. “We’re sharing something so gigantic now,” says Hudson, who can now attest to the fact that becoming a parent changes how one perceives the world.

In “Raising Helen,” directed by Garry Marshall, Kate Hudson stars as Helen Harris, a single, carefree socialite working at a Manhattan modeling agency. Helen is contrasted with her more responsible older sister Jenny (Joan Cusack), who is portrayed as the stereotypical super mom. A pregnant mother with children, Jenny loves potpourri and knitting. When their sister and brother in-law die in a tragic accident, everyone expects Jenny to receive custody of the orphaned children. Yet, for a reason that is not explained until the end, Helen suddenly finds herself as the sole guardian of 15-year-old Audrey (Hayden Panattiere), 10-year-old Henry (Spencer Breslin), and 5 year-old Sarah (Abigaile Breslin).

Helen soon realizes many of her habits are unsuitable for raising children, and she begins a metamorphosis into motherhood. Kate Hudson explains, “We put a lot of thought into that – the transformation that she has to make. It’s even reflected in her clothes.” It is not long before Helen is overwhelmed. Wandering down the street and wondering where to send the children to school, she sighs, “Oh, God help me.” Immediately, we hear the church bells of nearby St. Barbara’s, the local Lutheran church and school. Pastor Dan (John Corbett), the school principal, welcomes the children for admission.

Before long, Pastor Dan expresses concern about the behavior of the three children, especially Audrey, who begins to make unhealthy friendships at her new school. As one might expect, Helen and the single, charming pastor then fall in love. Unfortunately, their romance looks more like the puppy love that one would expect from a romantic comedy, rather than the mature courtship that one would expect from a pastor. Nevertheless, director Garry Marshall liked the story’s positive portrayal of a minister and the uniqueness of him being the romantic interest. “To be very honest, with some of the religious things going on in the news, I thought somewhere there should be a positive statement – that it is a good place and has good people,” reflects Marshall. “Can’t compete with Mel Gibson, but we figured we do our part,” he quips. “Raising Helen” also depicts a positive portrayal of the vocation to motherhood, which is so often misunderstood and unappreciated. In “On the Dignity and Vocation of Women,” Pope John Paul II notes, “Parenthood – even though it belongs to both – is realized much more fully in the woman, especially in the prenatal period. ... It is therefore necessary that the man be fully aware that in their shared parenthood, he owes a special debt to the woman.” Marshall felt that this movie was one way he could show his appreciation to mothers. He explains, “The reason I did the picture is because, in my mind, it is a salute to parents and how hard it is to raise kids these days in this society of ours. It is a salute to motherhood.”

While “Raising Helen” focuses on the necessity of responsible motherhood, it somewhat fails to recognize the importance of responsible fatherhood. Yet, it hints at the role of fathers and the ideal of marriage as the foundation of the family. For instance, it does express the challenges that come with being a single parent. In Hudson’s opinion, the movie is “like a love letter to single mothers” because it is sympathetic to their struggles. Young Henry is especially affected by the death of his father, and he expresses the responsibility to be the “man” of the family. Also, according to Marshall, it was important that Helen found “a religious man who was solid enough that these kids would be alright. ... This man would give some solidarity to the family.”

It eventually becomes apparent to Helen that she must be a mother to the children, and not just their baby-sitter or “cool aunt.” This challenge becomes most evident when Audrey leaves her high school prom with BZ, a disrespectful, lowlife senior. Helen is faced with a choice whether or not to confront the situation. “She’s going to hate me,” Helen tells Jenny. “She’s going to hate you if you don’t,” Jenny replies.

Joan Cusack gladly identifies with her character, saying, “This part focuses on the importance of raising children, which I happen to feel is my most important job in life.” Cusack has spent less time acting since having her two sons, Dylan, 6, and Miles, 4. She and her husband live in Chicago, where they are raising their boys Catholic. Although she claims to be “no expert,” Cusack believes being a good mother to her children involves “being present with them, being aware of what’s going on with them, nipping things in the bud that aren’t helpful to them and bringing out things that they need to work on.”

Lastly, it is notable that in the movie, Helen’s transformation does not end with external changes – such as wearing more modest clothing and quitting smoking. She must also mature in her approach to the world and learn to seek others’ well-being and happiness before her own. In a certain sense, Helen comes to understand that “parents have the first responsibility for the education of their children (and) a grave responsibility to give good example.” (CCC 2223)

In the end, Helen realizes that true fulfillment won’t come from the glamour of the material world, and she sees family in a new light. A recent Gallup poll revealed that most Americans identify with her experience. According to the poll, people are more likely to say they are “highly satisfied” with their families than with any other area of their personal lives. Interestingly, they find the least amount of satisfaction from money. This is not surprising when we consider that lasting happiness is to be found not in things, but in loving relationships, the foremost of which is one’s relationship with God.

– Alton Pelowski is assistant editor/webmaster for FAITH Magazine. Photos from New Line Productions, Inc.

Raising Helen is rated PG-13 for thematic elements involving teens. Parents are strongly cautioned.