Pregnancy guides sell a picturesque journey. However, What to Expect When You’re Expecting shatters that illusion with five interconnected stories. The film, consequently, presents parenthood not as a gentle miracle but as a hilarious, chaotic, and utterly life-changing collision course with reality.
Detailed Summary
Jules and Evan: The Celebrity Couple
Jules, a TV fitness guru, and Evan, a dance competition star, have a very public pregnancy. Their journey, as a result, becomes a brand. Jules struggles with losing control of her famously fit body. In contrast, Evan embraces the impending fatherhood with perhaps a little too much enthusiasm. Their biggest conflict arises over circumcision, which they debate live on television, ultimately letting their fans decide.
Wendy and Gary: The Long-Awaited Pregnancy
Wendy runs a baby boutique and has authored books on the magic of pregnancy. After two years of trying, she and her husband Gary finally conceive. However, her pregnancy is anything but magical. She suffers from every unpleasant symptom imaginable. To make matters worse, Gary’s overbearing father, Ramsey, and his much younger wife, Skyler, announce they are expecting twins. This creates a bitter rivalry, especially for Gary, who feels constantly overshadowed.
Holly and Alex: The Adoption Journey
Holly, a photographer, is unable to conceive. Consequently, she and her husband Alex decide to adopt a child from Ethiopia. While Holly is fully committed, Alex is terrified. He joins a “dudes’ group,” a pack of fathers who offer hilariously unfiltered advice. In addition, Alex secretly fears he is not ready for the responsibility. His anxiety builds until the moment they finally receive the call to pick up their baby.
Rosie and Marco: The Unexpected Twist
Rosie and Marco are rival food truck owners who share a passionate night after a business turf war. Unexpectedly, Rosie gets pregnant. Initially, they are awkward and unsure. However, they slowly begin to build a relationship and embrace the idea of becoming parents. Their story takes a tragic turn, though, when Rosie suffers a miscarriage. The loss devastates them and drives them apart.
Skyler and Ramsey: The Perfect Pregnancy
Ramsey, a former race car driver, enjoys a life of luxury with his young wife, Skyler. She is pregnant with twin boys and experiences a flawless, glowing pregnancy. Furthermore, she breezes through every milestone with a smile. This effortless journey serves as a constant source of frustration for her stepson, Gary, and his wife, Wendy. Skyler, however, remains blissfully unaware of the friction she causes, focusing instead on her perfect experience.
Movie Ending
The film’s climax ties all five stories together on delivery day. Jules and Evan welcome their daughter after a chaotic delivery, finally agreeing to name her Emerson and deciding against circumcision themselves. Meanwhile, Wendy endures a painful and complicated C-section. Immediately after, however, she melts when she holds her son, Theo, forgetting all the misery. Her heartfelt speech about the brutal reality of childbirth goes viral, bringing her newfound fame.
Holly and Alex travel to Ethiopia and meet their adopted son, Kaleb. In that touching moment, all of Alex’s fears instantly vanish. In addition, the dudes’ group officially welcomes him into the fold. After their tragic loss, Rosie and Marco reconnect. They decide to give their relationship another chance, starting with a joint food truck venture. Lastly, Skyler gives birth to her twin boys, with Ramsey proudly at her side, completing the family circle.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No, there are no post-credits scenes in the traditional sense. However, the film does feature a blooper reel and short character outtakes that play alongside the main credits. Therefore, it is worth watching the credits for a few extra laughs with the cast.
Type of Movie
What to Expect When You’re Expecting is an ensemble romantic comedy. The film uses humor to explore the anxieties and joys of impending parenthood. While it remains lighthearted for the most part, it also delves into dramatic territory. For instance, it tackles serious topics like infertility, adoption fears, and miscarriage with sensitivity.
Cast
- Cameron Diaz – Jules Baxter
- Jennifer Lopez – Holly Castillo
- Elizabeth Banks – Wendy Cooper
- Chace Crawford – Marco
- Brooklyn Decker – Skyler Cooper
- Anna Kendrick – Rosie Brennan
- Matthew Morrison – Evan Webber
- Dennis Quaid – Ramsey Cooper
- Chris Rock – Vic
- Rodrigo Santoro – Alex Castillo
- Ben Falcone – Gary Cooper
Film Music and Composer
Mark Mothersbaugh, co-founder of the band Devo, composed the film’s score. The music is generally upbeat and contemporary, fitting the movie’s comedic tone. In addition, the soundtrack features a mix of pop and indie songs. Notable tracks include “Big Poppa” by The Notorious B.I.G., used humorously in the dudes’ group scenes, and “Waiting on the World to Change” by John Mayer.
Filming Locations
The movie was primarily filmed in and around Atlanta, Georgia. Production used various locations throughout the city to create a believable urban setting. For instance, Piedmont Park is the setting for the memorable “dudes’ group” walks. The High Museum of Art also makes an appearance. Using Atlanta provided a versatile backdrop that could represent any major American city, therefore making the characters’ stories feel universal.
Awards and Nominations
The film’s reception was mixed, which is reflected in its awards. On one hand, it received several nominations at the Teen Choice Awards, including Choice Movie: Comedy and Choice Movie Actress for Cameron Diaz and Jennifer Lopez. On the other hand, it also garnered two Razzie Award nominations for Worst Supporting Actress (Brooklyn Decker and Jennifer Lopez).
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Several actresses, including Elizabeth Banks and Brooklyn Decker, wore prosthetic baby bumps that grew progressively larger to reflect their character’s journey through pregnancy.
- The “dudes’ group” was reportedly one of the most fun parts of the shoot, with the actors spending time off-set to build a genuine camaraderie.
- Director Kirk Jones encouraged improvisation, especially in scenes involving the comedians like Chris Rock and Rebel Wilson, to make the humor feel more natural.
- The newborns featured in the film were often triplets, allowing the production to swap them out to comply with regulations on how long an infant can be on set.
Inspirations and References
The film is directly inspired by the 1984 pregnancy guide of the same name by Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel. The book is a non-fiction manual offering medical and emotional advice to expectant parents. The movie, consequently, does not adapt a narrative but instead uses the book’s themes and topics to create fictional storylines for its ensemble cast.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
The DVD and Blu-ray releases include a number of deleted scenes. Most of these are short character moments that were cut for pacing. For instance, one deleted scene features more of Wendy and Gary’s backstory and their struggles with fertility specialists. There are no known alternate endings; the theatrical version is the definitive one.
Book Adaptations and Differences
This is not a traditional book-to-film adaptation. The source material is a non-fiction pregnancy guide, essentially a textbook for parents. As a result, the screenwriters had to invent all the characters, plotlines, and dialogue from scratch. The movie uses the book as a thematic foundation, with each couple’s story illustrating a different aspect of the pregnancy experience covered in the guide, such as adoption, miscarriage, high-risk pregnancy, and the “perfect” pregnancy.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- Wendy’s Meltdown: At a baby convention, a hormonal and exhausted Wendy hijacks the stage. She delivers an epic, hilarious rant about how the “glow” of pregnancy is a complete lie, detailing every undignified symptom to a shocked audience.
- The Dudes’ Group Stroll: The first time Alex joins the dads’ support group, they walk through a park offering brutally honest and funny advice about fatherhood. This recurring scene becomes the film’s comedic heart.
- The Ethiopian Adoption: Holly and Alex finally meet their son, Kaleb. The emotional weight of the moment, especially Alex’s instant connection with the baby, provides one of the film’s most touching scenes.
Iconic Quotes
- “If I knew the gulf between my vagina and my anus was going to be this small, I would have worn a coochy-jewel.” – Wendy Cooper
- “There’s no such thing as a baby-proof home. Babies are smarter than you.” – Vic (from the Dudes’ Group)
- “I just want the epidural. Even if I’m not pregnant, I want the epidural.” – Janice
- “She’s two. Two is ‘rebel without a cause.’ We’re just trying to get to three, ‘the beautiful mind.'”– Patel (from the Dudes’ Group)
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- The actual “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” book makes several appearances in the film. Wendy is seen reading it, and it is prominently displayed in her baby boutique.
- Dennis Quaid’s character, Ramsey Cooper, is a former NASCAR driver. This is a subtle nod to Quaid’s role as a race car driver in the film The Rookie (2002).
- The lactation consultant who helps Wendy is played by Heidi Murkoff, the author of the original book that inspired the film.
Trivia
- During production, a real baby was born to a member of the crew, adding a touch of real-life authenticity to the set.
- Matthew Morrison had to learn complex dance routines for his role as Evan, a celebrity dancer, performing many of his own moves.
- The five main storylines were often filmed separately, so many of the lead actors did not work together until the film’s promotional tour.
- Rebel Wilson’s character, Janice, was a minor role that was significantly expanded after filmmakers saw her comedic talent during early shoots.
Why Watch?
This film is a warm, funny, and surprisingly honest look at the messy journey to parenthood. Moreover, its ensemble cast delivers both laugh-out-loud moments and genuine heart. Ultimately, it is a relatable movie for anyone navigating the chaos of starting a family.
Director’s Other Movies
- Waking Ned Devine (1998)
- Nanny McPhee (2005)
- Everybody’s Fine (2009)
- My Happy Ending (2023)
Recommended Films for Fans
- Knocked Up (2007)
- Juno (2007)
- Baby Mama (2008)
- Life as We Know It (2010)
- Friends with Kids (2011)
