What To Expect When You're Expecting (2012)

Baby Formula.

Nothing is more certain to drive crowds of oblivious couples to cinemas than a star-studded rom-com about the foibles of adult life. In a similar style to the spectacularly forgettable Valentine’s Day (2010), WTEWYE follows the lives of multiple couples, as they all cope with the onset of parenthood in varying ways.

Some of the stars include: Cameron Diaz, Chris Rock, Elizabeth Banks, J-Lo, Dennis Quaid, and Anna Kendrick, although the storyline prevents very little interaction between the different actors, instead leaving them within their own, personal journeys of baby-hell.

There is, of course, a smorgasbord of adult situations which are displayed in all their riotous hilarity - from the woman whose pregnant body seems to betray her at every public moment (Banks), to the control freak who doesn’t listen to a word her partner tells her (Diaz). We are also shown some more tear-jerking moments with the girl who loses her baby in a miscarriage (Kendrick) and the woman who can‘t conceive (J-Lo). All of which give the viewer a pretty good round-up of all that can happen when you get pregnant.

Alongside the outrageously unpredictable antics of these ladies-in-waiting, we are also shown the male side of the story - something that usually goes without more than a puff on a cigar and slap on the back. This provides for the film’s most comedic aspect, a group of guys who take their babies to the park and talk about all the mishaps they have managed to get away with, whilst yearning for their freedom by idolizing the local (baby-less) stud.

This film survives on a few central characters who manage to keep the film falling off the rails. Kendrick’s storyline, and performance, is worthy of mentioning, as is Bank’s talent for her relentless willingness to embarrass herself in films. But, save for the bro patrol in the park, this film is a lukewarm bottle of milk, when it could have been so much more.

The erratic speed of the first half creates a dizzying experience something similar to the nausea of pregnancy, but the film never quite achieves focus, and instead seems content to ride out the remaining minutes with cheap laughs and predictability.