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IMDbPro

A Little Help

  • 2010
  • R
  • 1h 49m
IMDb RATING
5.6/10
3.6K
YOUR RATING
Jenna Fischer in A Little Help (2010)
Reeling from her husband's sudden death, Laura (Fischer) gets entangled in a series of bizarre lies as she works to take care of herself and her 12-year-old son.
Play trailer2:17
8 Videos
31 Photos
ComedyDramaRomance

A woman gets entangled in a series of bizarre lies in order to take care of herself and her 12-year-old son.A woman gets entangled in a series of bizarre lies in order to take care of herself and her 12-year-old son.A woman gets entangled in a series of bizarre lies in order to take care of herself and her 12-year-old son.

  • Director
    • Michael J. Weithorn
  • Writer
    • Michael J. Weithorn
  • Stars
    • Jenna Fischer
    • Jay Klaitz
    • Daniel Yelsky
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.6/10
    3.6K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Michael J. Weithorn
    • Writer
      • Michael J. Weithorn
    • Stars
      • Jenna Fischer
      • Jay Klaitz
      • Daniel Yelsky
    • 39User reviews
    • 34Critic reviews
    • 54Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 2 nominations total

    Videos8

    A Little Help
    Trailer 2:17
    A Little Help
    A Little Help: You're No Match Music Video
    Clip 4:22
    A Little Help: You're No Match Music Video
    A Little Help: You're No Match Music Video
    Clip 4:22
    A Little Help: You're No Match Music Video
    A Little Help: Kitchen
    Clip 0:50
    A Little Help: Kitchen
    A Little Help: Bedroom
    Clip 0:58
    A Little Help: Bedroom
    A Little Help: Car Sing-A-Long
    Clip 0:54
    A Little Help: Car Sing-A-Long
    A Elittle Help: You Suck
    Clip 0:54
    A Elittle Help: You Suck

    Photos31

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    Top cast39

    Edit
    Jenna Fischer
    Jenna Fischer
    • Laura Pehlke
    Jay Klaitz
    Jay Klaitz
    • Patient
    Daniel Yelsky
    Daniel Yelsky
    • Dennis Pehlke
    Brooke Smith
    Brooke Smith
    • Kathy Helms
    Chris O'Donnell
    Chris O'Donnell
    • Bob Pehlke
    Rob Benedict
    Rob Benedict
    • Paul Helms
    Zach Page
    • Kyle Helms
    Ron Leibman
    Ron Leibman
    • Warren Dunning
    Lesley Ann Warren
    Lesley Ann Warren
    • Joan Dunning
    Sara Kapner
    Sara Kapner
    • Wendy Helms
    James Rebhorn
    James Rebhorn
    • Dr. Bronstein
    Michelle Hurst
    Michelle Hurst
    • Eileen
    Matt Oberg
    Matt Oberg
    • Minister
    Douglas Lipman
    • Doug
    Carla Briscoe
    Carla Briscoe
    • Kristen
    Elaine Kussack
    • Sara
    Sam McMurray
    Sam McMurray
    • Big Bad Dan
    Kim Coates
    Kim Coates
    • Mel Kaminsky
    • Director
      • Michael J. Weithorn
    • Writer
      • Michael J. Weithorn
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews39

    5.63.6K
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    10

    Featured reviews

    8sam-becherer

    Mundane, Monotonous Redemption

    I normally don't like to call out other reviewers on their views, but I feel like the review that's posted on the page doesn't do this film justice at all. Sure, Jenna Fischer plays a very annoying character, and sure, her son is annoying as all get out, but to claim that either doesn't grow is a little rough.

    I think the movie does a great job at exemplifying the tribulations of real life, and it's exactly the point of the film not to have a huge ending where everyone involved has an epiphany and changes all of his or her ways. Everyone has a ton of problems, but the fact that they aren't shown climbing triumphantly out from them is exactly how real life is, how many of you can just walk away from a rough marriage, or problems with a child, or the suspicion of an affair? These aren't things one can simply "Get over" within the span of days, or maybe even ever, and this movie shows that in a way that is quietly elegant. The viewer is left with the statement that things are going to be better, and the viewer has to trust that they will be, as opposed to being shown that they are.

    It's a quirky sad film, one that doesn't really make the viewer feel all that great, but it certainly leaves enough room for a quiet warmth; a slow hope that stays with the viewer after the movie ends. It's a great film, an annoying and frustrating and awkward film, but a great film nevertheless. The viewer sees human beings interacting with each other, and very human reactions. It's nothing that's going remain with you for days, but it will make you smile.
    5starbiue_82

    An average movie with problems not solved till the end

    first of all, not much comic as stated in the genre Movie is about a married lady life in turmoil after she suspects her husband on cheating her. Being unloved and insecure she is turning alcholic resulting in child and house ignorance ( as u can see unwashed dishes and clothes spread all around in the background).

    Her husband dies of heart problem. Laura tries to overcome her alcoholic tendencies and admit her son (Denis) to a private school out side the city on her imposing mother and sister demand. Alone & ignored, eager to have new friends, Dennis lies to his teachers and classmates that his father was a hero of 9/11. Laura reluctantly promises not to reveal the truth about his father death to friends.

    on the other hand, Laura was forced to file a case against the doctor who failed to diagnose her husband condition and claim insurance money for her family benefit. Attorney part has been played diligently.

    Inshort, there are some scenes in the movie which portray real life experiences but some points remain unanswered till the end like mother son relation and devotion in real sense
    non-shill

    I need "A Little Help" forgetting this awful piece of trash

    I have no idea how this film can be rated anything above 2/10. The film is utterly pointless in every facet. Every frame is annoying.

    I am a fan of the TV show "The Office", but I find Jenna Fisher's character in that show annoying. I guess playing annoying characters is her talent, because her character in this film is incredibly annoying throughout the film. It's hard to expand on that without including spoilers (not that anything could "spoil" this film more than the awful script already does); and I hate reviews with spoilers.

    As I said, this film is pointless. Nothing is resolved. The main character (Fishcher) is an idiot who learns nothing and grows not one iota. Her son is a liar and an idiot who changes not one iota. She has problems; her son has problems; her sister and brother-in-law have problems; her nephew has problems, and on and on... None of these things are resolved. No point is made. The main character "grows" some reviewers claim? Did we watch the same movie? Fisher's character does one aggravatingly-stupid thing after another; me and my wife kept saying "Why would she do that?" This movie is a pointless, poorly-acted crapfest.
    8brettster

    Jenna Fischer Shines in Ensemble Cast

    This indie dramedy casts cutie-pie Jenna Fischer (of TV's "The Office") as Laura, a woman suffering from a variety of problems—dead-end marriage, unappreciative son, bitchy sister, condescending mom—that no amount of beer and cigarettes can make go away. Then things take a turn for the worse. The movie is about how lies infect the soul—how they grow, like a cancer, and end up spoiling life. There are impressive turns by Ron Liebman and Lesley Ann Warren as Laura's parents, and Kim Coates as a calculating attorney—the embodiment of Satanic dishonesty, he might as well have been carrying a trident. "A Little Help" may not wind up in a lot of the year's Top 10 lists, but I found myself caring about the characters, warts and all. (For once, Fischer is photographed in a way that is not particularly attractive). A winning effort by first-time feature writer/director Michael J. Weithorn.
    tayla-2

    Disappointed

    I watched this movie after first coming across it on IMDb and reading stellar reviews describing it as a "dramedy". Unfortunately, I found the beginning slow and drawn out to the point of boredom. I had a difficult time caring about any of the characters or what would happen to them. I actually fell asleep and had to rewind in my quest to find the point where it would improve. I did not find this movie interesting or funny and some scenes were actually distasteful. I thought the characters annoying and unlikeable. Some reviewers commented that this movie was great because it was true to life; not every situation ends up tied up in pretty bows and perfect endings, etc. Sure, that's true. BUT, that does not mean I should be satisfied watching characters without redeeming qualities who do not develop in a movie with a flat ending. If I'm going to invest 108 minutes in a movie my lowest expectation is to care about what happens to the characters. It's interesting to read such different reviews about the same movie. In this case, since some people loved it I would suggest watching it yourself if the storyline interests you and then post a review here.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The last film role of Ron Leibman.
    • Quotes

      Laura Pehlke: How was camp?

      Dennis Pehlke: I saw a girl's tit.

      Laura Pehlke: Ouu, how was it?

      Dennis Pehlke: How *was* it?

      Laura Pehlke: I don't know, I just...

      Dennis Pehlke: She jumped into the pool and her bathing suit came down for a second. Besides, she's only eleven, it wasn't much of a tit.

      Laura Pehlke: Still, it's something.

    • Connections
      Featured in The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Episode #19.176 (2011)
    • Soundtracks
      Girl From Ipanama
      Written by Antonio Carlos Jobim, Vinicius de Moraes, Norman Gimbel

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    FAQ

    • How long is A Little Help?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 22, 2011 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Маленькая помощь
    • Filming locations
      • Long Island Expressway, New York, USA(Laura and son in car.)
    • Production company
      • Secret Handshake Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $96,868
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $44,870
      • Jul 24, 2011
    • Gross worldwide
      • $96,868
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 49 minutes
    • Color
      • Color

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