Sarah Jessica Parker, Greg Kinnear, Pierce Brosnan, Olivia Munn and Christina Hendricks star in I Don't Know How She Does It, a comedy from director Douglas McGrath (Emma, Infamous) and producer Donna Gigliotti (The Reader... more », Let Me In). Based on the critically acclaimed bestseller by Allison Pearson, I Don't Know How She Does It follows a Boston-based working mother trying desperately to juggle marriage, children, and a high-stress job.
Kate Reddy (Parker) devotes her days to her job with a Boston-based financial management firm. At night she goes home to her adoring, recently-downsized architect husband Richard (Kinnear) and their two young children. It's a non-stop balancing act, the same one that Kate's acerbic best friend and fellow working mother Allison (Christina Hendricks) performs on a daily basis, and that Kate's super-brainy, child-phobic young junior associate Momo (Olivia Munn) fully intends to avoid. When Kate gets handed a major new account that will require frequent trips to New York, Richard also wins the new job he's been hoping for and both will be spreading themselves even thinner. Complicating matters is Kate's charming new business associate Jack Abelhammer (Brosnan), who begins to prove an unexpected source of temptation.« less
Not impressed with Greg Kinnear and Pierce Brosnan's performance in this. Lots of stars in this and its like they jammed the sex and the city star into the plotline. Some really liked this though.
Belinda S. (niara) from NEW YORK, NY Reviewed on 2/17/2025...
Guilty pleasure time. This is one of my favorite guilty pleasure movies.
For those who may not know, this film is based on a novel of the same name, written by Allison Pearson. I've read the novel three times; it is HILARIOUS. Speaks to every working mom out there, and the trials and tribulations of navigating corporate London -- yes, the novel takes place in London, while the film takes place in the US -- with two small children and a somewhat present husband.
The film does capture some of the nuances of the novel but it is on its own level. Enter harried Kate Reddy, played by Sarah Jessica Parker. Happy to have found something to wear to work that doesn't have throw-up or old food on the front. Working in finance and being one of the few women on the team, she gets a high-powered account and is introduced to Jack Abelhammer, played by the truly yummy Pierce Brosnan.
What the film nailed, in my opinion, is the constant juggling Kate goes through in her universe -- male-dominated work world, two small children, a house in need of constant repair, and a husband who means well but falls just a bit short. Olivia Munn plays Kate's assistant, Momo.
This film will probably not win any awards, it kind of came and went during its very limited theatrical run, but shows up on cable every now and again. I found it hugely entertaining.
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Sharon F. (Shar) from AVON PARK, FL Reviewed on 6/10/2022...
Not necessarily a fan of SJP, but she was pretty good in this movie. Seems like ALL women are faced with these problems in this day and age.
2 of 3 member(s) found this review helpful.
Sharon C. (Sierrastar) from BLYTHEWOOD, SC Reviewed on 10/21/2012...
I love Sarah Jessica Parker and watch all her movies. This one was a good one. She was so involved with work and trying to squeeze family in was becoming an almost impossible thing. When it starts snowing one day she finally realizes the things and people who matter the most. It was worth the watch