Labor Pains
Labor Pains is a TV movie, starring Lindsay Lohan, Luke Kirby, Cheryl Hines, Chris Parnell, and Aaron Yoo. The film was originally going to be released in theatres, but instead received a television release on ABC Family on July 19, 2009. The film was then released to DVD and Blu-Ray on August 4 and August 31 in the United States and the United Kingdom, respectively. The film drew 2.1 million viewers, a better-than-average prime-time audience for ABC Family, and per the network, was the week's top cable movie among coveted female demographic groups.
Plot
Thea Clayhill (Lindsay Lohan) is about to lose her position as secretary to a very cranky publisher (Chris Parnell) -- so she lies about being pregnant to save her job, as she saw on an episode of Law & Order that it is discriminatory to fire a pregnant woman. The plan works, and she gets to keep her job.
With the help from a friend (Cheryl Hines) -- and a "baby bump" stolen from a mannequin -- Thea fakes the pregnancy while she figures out her next move. In the meantime, her boss gets called out of town and his cute brother Nick (Luke Kirby) takes over. In an attempt to get an author to publish a book with the company, he brings Thea along to a meeting with the author. Thea convinces the author that they are the right "home" for her book. Nick then launches a new parenting division at the publishing company, and he wants Thea to be the editor. This results in a raise and promotion for Thea, as well as the beginning of a romantic relationship between her and Nick after breaking off her engagement with Miles (Aaron Yoo). She begins to enjoy her life to the extent that her "pregnancy" becomes real to her. In an attempt to get Thea to admit her lie, Emma (her little sister) throws Thea a surprise baby shower. When Thea still doesn't admit the lie to her family, Emma destroys her pregnancy pillow in a fit of rage. Quickly, Thea grabs a balloon and leaves. Later that day, the author of the book is going to have a book reading, but her boss comes back a week early, and gets into an argument with Nick (which ends with Nick jumping on him, then Thea pulling them apart). After insulting Thea, she tries to go at him. Nick holds her back by the stomach, and her balloon pops, blowing her cover.
Soon, Thea gets herself together and apologizes on a national talk show to Nick and the company. Nick forgives her and takes her back, and she gets to keep her job.
The movie flashes to two years later(Nick and Thea are married indicated by the wedding ring on his finger). This shows Nick and Thea discussing something, as Thea goes into labor..for real. Nick wheels her out in a spinning chair, so she can give birth to her and Nick's baby and the credits roll.
Production
Labor Pains began as a production under Capitol Films, but due to budget issues regarding another film, Nailed, Millennium Films Overnight Productions took over the film. Filming began in Burbank, California on June 9, 2008.
On September 3, 2008, a teaser trailer was released, listing the film as "post-production."
On March 26, 2009, it was announced that Labor Pains would not make a theatrical release in the United States. Instead, it was released to ABC Family on July 19, 2009.
Critical Reception
Labor Pains has received a 55 out of 100 on Metacritic, receiving mostly mixed reviews. Martha Hokenson summarized the film by saying "It certainly won't win any awards, but it's not a bad effort." The Los Angeles Times said that while Lindsay's acting wasn't fantastic, the screenwriting "offers an Olympian task for any star, involving as it does large and clunky leaps of logic over a cliché-riddled narrative landscape."
Cast
Lindsay Lohan as Thea Clayhill
Bridgit Mendler as Emma Clayhill
Cheryl Hines as Lisa DePardo
Tracee Ellis Ross as Kristin
Chris Parnell as Jerry Steinwald
Luke Kirby as Nick Steinwald
Kevin Covais as Greg
Willie Garson as Carl
Bonnie Somerville as Suzie Cavandish
Ana Ortiz as Donna
Aaron Yoo as Miles
Janeane Garofalo as The Vista Host
Trivia
Ana Ortiz and Lindsay Lohan starred alongside each other in Ugly Betty which is broadcasted on ABC a sister channel to ABC Family which the film premiered on.
Translation
The phrase "Labor Pains" occurs as such in the following languages: English, Dutch, Portuguese.
Translation in Spanish: Un Trabajo Embarazoso.
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