She's Having a Baby (1988)

Young newlyweds find out just how unprepared they are for their future together.

Director:

John Hughes

Writer:

John Hughes

Stars:

Kevin Bacon, Elizabeth McGovern, Alec Baldwin

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kevin Bacon	...	Jake Briggs
Elizabeth McGovern	...	Kristy Briggs
Alec Baldwin	...	Davis McDonald
James Ray	...	Jim Briggs
Holland Taylor	...	Sarah Briggs
William Windom	...	Russ Bainbridge
Cathryn Damon	...	Gayle Bainbridge
Reba McKinney	...	Grandmother
Bill Erwin	...	Grandfather
Paul Gleason	...	Howard
Dennis Dugan	...	Bill
Anthony Mockus Sr.	...	Minister
John Ashton	...	Ken
Larry Hankin	...	Hank
Edie McClurg	...	Lynn

Storyline

Jake and Kristy Briggs are newlyweds. Being young, they are perhaps a bit unprepared for the full reality of marriage and all that it (and their parents) expect from them. Do they want babies? Their parents certainly want them to. Is married life all that there is? Things certainly aren't helped by Jake's friend Davis, who always seems to turn up just in time to put a spanner in the works.

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Plot Keywords:

infertility | pregnancy | bare chested male | shirtless workout | workout in underwear | 

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Taglines:

Man. Woman. Life. Death. Infinity. Tuna casserole. One movie dares to tell it all.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 February 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

Papá a la fuerza

Filming Locations:

56 Salem Lane, Skokie, Illinois, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,827,520, 7 February 1988, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$16,031,707

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures, Hughes Entertainment, Seven Stars Film Partners

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Black and White Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

At the time of filming, Kevin Bacon was a year away from becoming a father for the first time with the birth of his son, Travis, while it would be another five years before Elizabeth McGovern would have her first child, Matilda.

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Goofs

When Jake kisses his wife goodbye, comes down the sidewalk, stumbles, and falls, a blue pad to protect his knees is clearly visible on the sidewalk.

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Quotes

Harry: Dashiel (Suggesting a name for the baby! His real life son's name!)

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Crazy Credits

Various stars suggesting baby names - Kirstie Alley, Harry Anderson, Jay and Michael Astin, Dan Aykroyd, Matthew Broderick, John Candy, Dyan Cannon, Belinda Carlisle, Ted Danson, Judi Evans, Woody Harrelson, Robert Hays, "Magic" Johnson, Michael Keaton, Joanna Kerns, Penny Marshall, Bill Murray, Roy Orbison, Cindy Pickett, Annie Potts, John Ratzenberger, Ally Sheedy, Lyman Ward, Wil Wheaton, Warren Zevon.

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Connections

Referenced in Nostalgia Critic: What You Never Knew About Planes, Trains & Automobiles (2014)

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Soundtracks

HAUNTED WHEN THE MINUTES DRAG
Written by David J., Daniel Ash, and Kevin Haskins
Performed by Love and Rockets
Produced by John A. Rivers and Love and Rockets
Courtesy of Beggars Banquet Records, Ltd.

User Reviews

Fun and enjoyable. Bacon is a blast here.

It's difficult not to like this John Hughes movie which explores the relationship between Jefferson Briggs (Bacon) and Kristy (McGovern) from their wedding day till their baby's birth. The movie centers around how Bacon matures to become a responsible family man. The movie is portrayed through the eyes of new graduate Briggs and the audience moves along with his fears, plight and fortunes. Although not entirely original, there are moments throughout that you will empathize and laugh along with, mainly because we all went through this before. This is one of Hughes' definitive films from the 1980s and the music accompanying the movie is great, from Gene Loves Jezebel to Everything But The Girl and Kate Bush. Bacon is hilarious and McGovern gives an understated but effective performance as the wife determined to have a baby. Alec Baldwin is brilliant as Davis McDonald, the devilish best friend of Bacon who tries to dissuade him out of marriage. There are genuinely funny moments that pepper this movie throughout and makes it really delightful. There are the "high-brow" critics who slag this movie off. Don't be influenced by their views. This is an endearing and enjoyable movie.