Life as We Know It

Katherine Heigl and Josh Duhamel take a tragic premise for a movie and somehow make it sweetly entertaining. Director Greg Berlanti’s second movie (his first was released 10 years ago) manages a decent balancing act between humor and sad proceedings. Heigl and Duhamel play Holly and Messer, best friends of a couple who die shortly after having their first baby. Their will states that Holly and Messer get joint custody of their baby girl, Sophie (played by the adorable Clagett sisters). Yes, it’s all very predictable, but the kid is remarkably cute, as are the adult co-stars. This is one of those movies that I feared I would hate, but it had me laughing and smiling. I could’ve done without the gag involving shit on Heigl’s face, though.