Film review: 'Maybe Baby'
In his directorial debut, British writer/stand-up comedian/playwright Ben Elton does an excellent job with "Maybe Baby", a romantic comedy that draws impressive performances from a uniformly excellent cast. The rising value of Hugh Laurie ("Stuart Little") and the known values of Joely Richardson, Rowan Atkinson and Emma Thompson could make for an attractive package for overseas audiences. There are certainly plenty of laughs to be had and a few tears to be shed in this appealing film, which opens Friday in the United Kingdom.
Elton followed the unusual path of simultaneously writing a screenplay and novel on the same subject, a process he used when writing the book and play "Popcorn". "Maybe Baby" was originally called "Inconceivable" (the novel has that title), and it is very much based on Elton and his wife's experiences trying to have a baby.
Sam (Laurie) and Lucy Richardson) seem to be a perfect couple. They have busy careers, good looks, trendy motorcycles and a nice pad by the Thames. But what their relationship lacks is a baby. So the pair spend every available moment trying to reproduce -- efforts encouraged by sexy underwear, acupuncture and even New Age chanting. Eventually, they take the medical option and head to the world of sperm tests.
At the same time, Sam is finding life as a BBC commissioning editor increasingly boring, and his attempts to write a screenplay are hampered by writer's block. But when he starts to write about his and Lucy's attempts to have a baby, the words flow. Because he can't bring himself to tell Lucy, he must draw from her diary to represent both of his characters.
Meanwhile, at her theatrical agency office, Lucy is pursued by a hunky actor (James Purefoy). She fends him off until he gets offered a lead role in a new comedy -- about a couple trying for a baby. Sam's deceit leads to a massive argument, and the couple go their separate ways. A baby and reconciliation follow, but certainly not in traditional movie ways.
Elton gives his characters excellent lines, and he is not afraid to endow them with a more honest and human quality -- something rarely seen in romantic comedies. As a director, he makes fine use of his actors and locations, and he establishes an enjoyable pace.
Certain characters drift in and out a little too much, perhaps because of the large number of cameos from such familiar British faces as Atkinson, Thompson, Dawn French and Joanna Lumley.
Laurie, just a few years ago best known for TV comedy work and playing a heavy in "101 Dalmatians", seems to have grown in stature and can easily carry a film.
Richardson is allowed to show what an attractive actress she can be, and comedy is certainly her forte. Among the supporting cast, Adrian Lester ("Primary Colors") and Tom Hollander bring a perfect balance to the proceedings.
Technical credits are uniformly fine, with especially good work from production designer Jim Clay. Paul McCartney performs the title song, "Maybe Baby", helping give that special sheen to what is certainly a classy number.
MAYBE BABY
Pandora and BBC Films
Producer: Phil McIntyre
Writer-director: Ben Elton
Executive producers: Ernst Goldschmidt, David M. Thompson
Director of photography: Roger Lanser
Editor: Peter Hollywood
Music: Colin Towns
Costume designer: Anna Sheppard
Production designer: Jim Clay
Color/stereo
Cast:
Sam Bell: Hugh Laurie
Lucy Bell: Joely Richardson
George: Adrian Lester
Ewan Proclaimer: Tom Hollander
Carl Phipps: James Purefoy
Sheila: Joanna Lumley
Mr. James: Rowan Atkinson
Druscilla: Emma Thompson
Charlene: Dawn French
Nigel: Matthew Macfadyen
Running time -- 104 minutes
No MPAA rating...
Elton followed the unusual path of simultaneously writing a screenplay and novel on the same subject, a process he used when writing the book and play "Popcorn". "Maybe Baby" was originally called "Inconceivable" (the novel has that title), and it is very much based on Elton and his wife's experiences trying to have a baby.
Sam (Laurie) and Lucy Richardson) seem to be a perfect couple. They have busy careers, good looks, trendy motorcycles and a nice pad by the Thames. But what their relationship lacks is a baby. So the pair spend every available moment trying to reproduce -- efforts encouraged by sexy underwear, acupuncture and even New Age chanting. Eventually, they take the medical option and head to the world of sperm tests.
At the same time, Sam is finding life as a BBC commissioning editor increasingly boring, and his attempts to write a screenplay are hampered by writer's block. But when he starts to write about his and Lucy's attempts to have a baby, the words flow. Because he can't bring himself to tell Lucy, he must draw from her diary to represent both of his characters.
Meanwhile, at her theatrical agency office, Lucy is pursued by a hunky actor (James Purefoy). She fends him off until he gets offered a lead role in a new comedy -- about a couple trying for a baby. Sam's deceit leads to a massive argument, and the couple go their separate ways. A baby and reconciliation follow, but certainly not in traditional movie ways.
Elton gives his characters excellent lines, and he is not afraid to endow them with a more honest and human quality -- something rarely seen in romantic comedies. As a director, he makes fine use of his actors and locations, and he establishes an enjoyable pace.
Certain characters drift in and out a little too much, perhaps because of the large number of cameos from such familiar British faces as Atkinson, Thompson, Dawn French and Joanna Lumley.
Laurie, just a few years ago best known for TV comedy work and playing a heavy in "101 Dalmatians", seems to have grown in stature and can easily carry a film.
Richardson is allowed to show what an attractive actress she can be, and comedy is certainly her forte. Among the supporting cast, Adrian Lester ("Primary Colors") and Tom Hollander bring a perfect balance to the proceedings.
Technical credits are uniformly fine, with especially good work from production designer Jim Clay. Paul McCartney performs the title song, "Maybe Baby", helping give that special sheen to what is certainly a classy number.
MAYBE BABY
Pandora and BBC Films
Producer: Phil McIntyre
Writer-director: Ben Elton
Executive producers: Ernst Goldschmidt, David M. Thompson
Director of photography: Roger Lanser
Editor: Peter Hollywood
Music: Colin Towns
Costume designer: Anna Sheppard
Production designer: Jim Clay
Color/stereo
Cast:
Sam Bell: Hugh Laurie
Lucy Bell: Joely Richardson
George: Adrian Lester
Ewan Proclaimer: Tom Hollander
Carl Phipps: James Purefoy
Sheila: Joanna Lumley
Mr. James: Rowan Atkinson
Druscilla: Emma Thompson
Charlene: Dawn French
Nigel: Matthew Macfadyen
Running time -- 104 minutes
No MPAA rating...
- 6/1/2000
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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