Story
Kate Holbrook (Tina Fey) is a highly successful businesswoman working for Round Earth Organic Foods. However at 37, she is longing for a baby and having difficulty getting pregnant. She tries IVF, which fails, and her doctor informs her that her T-shaped uterus makes it highly unlikely that she will ever fall pregnant. At the suggestion of her sister Caroline (Maura Tierney), she decides to try surrogacy.
Kate is matched with prospective surrogate mother Angie, (Amy Poehler) who comes from a completely different social background. Kate is self-disciplined, in control and highly organised, whereas good-natured Angie, who is married to drop-out Carl (Dax Shepard), is chaotic, scheming and fun-loving. Angie moves out of home with Carl and into Kate’s house with hilarious results. Eventually the two learn to compromise and both learn something from the other.
Themes
IVF; surrogate motherhood
Violence
There is some violence in this movie including:
- verbal fights between Carl and Angie
- television footage in which a child hits his father in the crotch with a baseball
- verbal fights between Kate and Angie.
Content that may disturb children
Under 8
In addition to the above-mentioned violent scenes, there are some scenes in this movie that could scare or disturb children under eight, including a scene in which Angie gives birth and screams in pain.
From 8-13
Younger children in this age group may also be disturbed by Angie’s screams while in labour.
Over 13
Children in this age group are unlikely to be disturbed by anything in this film.
Sexual references
There are some sexual references in this movie, including:
- Numerous frank discussions about pregnancy, IVF and surrogacy.
- Carl tells Kate that if Angie has to have sex with another man it will cost more.
- Kate expresses worry that the baby might be hermaphrodite: “a chick with a dick”.
- Carl wants Angie to come home because he hasn’t had sex for a few weeks.
- Carl asks Angie for a ‘quickie’ in the car.
- Talk about periods and boobs.
- Kate’s boss Barry tells Angie the secret of his success is having a big penis.
Alcohol, drugs and other substances
There is some use of substances in this movie, including drinking at home, in a bar and a nightclub.
Nudity and sexual activity
Scenes of this nature nclude women in revealing clothing and some kissing.
Product placement
The following products are displayed or used in this movie: Dr Pepper, Red Bull and Pringles.
Coarse language
This movie contains mild coarse language.
Ideas to discuss with your children
Baby Mama is a funny movie about a serious subject. The characters are all somewhat stereotyped, such as the successful businesswoman, the ‘white-trash’ female and the pony-tailed, tree-hugging boss of Round Earth Foods. The main messages from this movie are that life doesn’t always go as planned and not to force your own values onto others. Parent who would like to discuss the values in this movie could talk about the effects of being judgemental.
This movie could also give parents the opportunity to discuss with their children issues such as IVF, surrogacy and single parenting.