Fey, Poehler perfect in ‘Baby Mama’

By Pat Vincent
For the Times West Virginian

April 30, 2008 07:43 pm

— I’ve been looking forward to “Baby Mama” ever since I saw the preview. Folks, it was worth the wait! Afterwards the first thing I thought was, “Everyone’s going to love this movie.” Sure, “everyone” might be stretching it a bit, but “almost everyone” is probably not too far off.
Kate (Tina Fey) is a successful and single executive who, while her friends were getting pregnant, was getting promotions. She never wanted a baby. Suddenly, at 37, she does. She tries artificial insemination: no go (turns out she has a million-to-one chance of getting knocked up). She tries adoption: no go (the wait is five years). Her last resort is using a surrogate. Enter Angie (Amy Poehler), a drama queen straight from “Springer,” and Kate’s complete and utter opposite.
The success of “Baby Mama” is all due to the perfect timing of comediennes Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. Of course, they’ve had ample time to perfect their ... um, timing seeing, as they’ve reinvented (and reinvigorated) SNL’s “Weekend Update” as the show’s first female anchor team. And, man, does that experience pay off.
You want to know who was great in “Baby Mama”? Steve Martin. Yeah, I didn’t even know he was going to be in it. But he has this little part and it’s really good. Plus Romany Malco from “Weeds” is perfectly casted here. Also of note: Sigourney Weaver is a real sport for being one of the film’s running gags at her own expense.
The DL: “Baby Mama” is just plain terrific. I loved it. My prediction? It’ll make a ton of money this year. Tina Fey, the queen of geek chic, proves that brainy can be sexy and Amy Poehler plays her Angie with just enough crassness to actually be likable. Their verbal sparring is hilarious.
And I almost forgot: There’s a great “Endless Love” montage ending with Poehler in stirrups.
For the next couple of weeks the box office is going to be owned by the boys (“Iron Man,” “Speed Racer” and Indy 4). Ladies, take advantage of this one.
To the Parents: “Baby Mama” is rated PG-13 and that seems about right.
The Rating: If movies were TV shows, “Baby Mama” would be “The Odd Couple.”
At Home: “The Kite Runner.” Terribly sad but terribly good.

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