What to Expect When You’re Expecting (2012) – Review

Where to watch What to Expect When You’re Expecting

1 Star

What to Expect When You’re Expecting follows the recent trend of adapting seemingly unfilmable source material, into less than mediocre so-called comedies. Despite the interesting cast, this is another noisy and unfunny ensemble comedy featuring familiar faces in even more familiar stereotypical roles. This time we are presented with five couples of varying social, and ethnic backgrounds, as they go about the obstacles of pregnancy. The climax features three birthing sequences in sequential order, each concluded with a crying baby and soft piano music.

Now for the celebrity rundown, try to stay with me. Dennis Quaid is a former NASCAR racing star, now married to the much younger Brooklyn Decker, who is pregnant with twins. Quaid’s biological son is married to Elisabeth Banks character, also pregnant, albeit after three years of failed attempts. Jennifer Lopez is a child photographer unable to conceive, so she and her boyfriend start the adoption process, only to then question if they are prepared for the responsibility. Cameron Diaz is also shoehorned in as a female celebrity trainer for a Big Loser weight-loss type of reality series. When she appears on Dancing with Stars and gets knocked up by her partner, the tabloids are frenzied but the couple has to decide if they are right for each other. In the most banal of the story arcs is the supposed love story, between a twenty-something couple that has to overcome the trails of a miscarage.

Perhaps the most offensive trait this picture offers is the downbeat handling of serious pregnancy complications. The clumsy direction by Kirk Jones, reminds that Gary Marshall’s work on the similarly themed, Valentine’s Day, is a masterwork in comparison. What to Expect When You’re Expecting renders likable actors intolerable, I wasn’t expecting that. An absolute waste of time, talent and resources.

Director: Kirk Jones
Stars: Cameron Diaz, Matthew Morrison, Jennifer Lopez