Baby Mama
Rated: PG-13
Tina Fey is the new greatness. Okay, her greatness isn't that new since she first gained attention after becoming Saturday Night Live's first female head writer, but her current notability comes from creating and starring-in the funniest show on television, 30 Rock. Now she makes her first theatrical leading role alongside the equally funny Amy Poehler in the comedy Baby Mama. The result is a softer comedy than 30 Rock’s whip-smart punch lines, but also the big-screen introduction of the best comedic duo since perhaps Bob Hope and Bing Crosby. Kate (Fey) wants a baby but her t-shaped uterus isn't having any of it so she seeks the services of a surrogate and enlists the lovable but childish Angie (Poehler). In her quest to have a child, she ends up finding out what it would be like to live with one as the irresponsible Angie moves in with the uptight Kate. Frankly, if Baby Mama starred two dudes, threw out some more curse words, and was produced by Judd Apatow, we'd be declaring it the next Knocked Up. But that's sexist and I'm very pro-sex. Go chicks. In all seriousness to their humor, Fey and Poehler play off each other brilliantly. This is what happens when two comedians not only have expert comic timing, but fully understand each other's timing. You don't realize how good they are together during the film because you're laughing so hard. It's only until after you've left that you realize you're craving a brand new Fey-Poehler comedy. While the film does have a weak B-plot involving a romance with Greg Kinnear (yeah, it's as lame as it sounds), the film gets solid assists by Dax Shepherd, Romany Malco, and most surprisingly, Steve Martin, who accidentally found his way into a funny movie. But it's Fey and Poehler who provide the reason to buy a ticket and a reason to be on the lookout for whatever projects they may do in the future, whether separately or (hopefully) together. Words by |