Movie Review: I Don't Know How She Does It!

I recently had the opportunity to watch I Don't Know How She Does It, a movie starring Sarah Jessica Parker as a working mother trying desperately to keep all the balls in the air at one time. I really enjoyed this movie - it was very funny, and with the exception of  a couple lines of sexual innuendo, very clean. It also had some important things to say about motherhood and had a pro-life component.

Parker's character has a very high-profile job in finance that requires her to travel, often at short notice. Her children are well-cared-for by their nanny and she has an involved husband, but she still feels the pain of missing out on key moments. In addition, her five-year old daughter resents her absence a great deal. Try as she might, work-life balance isn't working at all.

There are many parts in this movie that all mothers can relate to. Whether you work outside the home or not, there are always schedules to juggle and too much to do. Parker has lists everywhere, especially in her mind - they keep her awake at night as she tries to figure out how she will do it all, while her husband, of course, sleeps peacefully. Men just don't seem to suffer from these issues, do they? In the end, the stress of the job and her family is tearing her apart, and she issues an ultimatum to her boss.

As for the pro-life component, her assistant finds herself unexpectedly pregnant and plans to have an abortion. Parker talks her out of it, and offers her help and advice on how to be a working mom.

The only negative I found in this movie was that the stay-at-home moms were portrayed in a very stereotypical manner. They were the "mean moms" who excelled at all things mother-related, passed judgment on the working mom, and spent their days doing nothing. Although, truly, the portrayal was so stereotypical, I really do think that it was meant to be funny, and it was.

If you are looking for some fun movie viewing, "I Don't Know How She Does It" should be added to your list.