from the New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/1988/02/05/movies/film-she-s-having-a-baby-from-john-hughes.html

She’s Having A Baby (1988)

FOR John Hughes's Ferris Bueller, it was only a day off; for his Jefferson (Jake) Briggs, it may be an entire life. In the first scene of ''She's Having a Baby,'' which opens today at the Paramount and other theaters, Jake is seen marrying a woman he can barely stand, and this is only the beginning of his half-heartedness and disenchantment. He takes a dismal job in advertising. He moves to a sterile suburb. He winces at his wife's cooking. Jake seems bored with his entire existence, and as such he may be an even less sympathetic character than his teen-age antecedent.

''She's Having a Baby'' is supposed to be about how Jake changes, but there's nothing in the first 98 percent of the film to indicate he's even capable of that. This character is shallow, smug and lazy, which is not to say Mr. Hughes can't make such qualities amusing; in the past, he has. But in this film's case, misanthropy in general and misogyny in particular are greater problems. Even when Jake, imagining his wife at death's door, is finally prompted to have some nice thoughts about her, there's no changing the fact that he hates his house, neighbors, job, in-laws and everything else about his life.

Kevin Bacon is likable even when Jake is not, which is most of the time. But Elizabeth McGovern has a dreadful role that seems fatuous even by the standards of the 1950's, which is where this film's sense of social satire lies. (There is actually a fantasy sequence in which men with lawnmowers and women carrying trays of drinks do a little mock-suburban dance around the lawn sprinklers.) As Jake's wife, Kristy, Miss McGovern is made to seem a sexless, listless drone, an embodiment of domesticity at its most life-denying. However, while the film throws other women at Jake (most notably a fantasy creature with a European accent), it doesn't have the nerve to give him any more libido than his wife has.

Aiming at a target as easy as suburban sterility, ''She's Having a Baby'' might be expected to hit its mark every now and then. But the film's mood is simply too sour, despite the best efforts of a cast filled with appealing actors, a number of whom have had walk-ons in other Hughes efforts. Another modest plus is the pop-music soundtrack, which is as lighthearted as the comedy is leaden. When Jake and his wife have fertility problems and Kristy insists they take a more scientific approach to sex, Sam Cooke's ''Chain Gang'' is heard in the background.

''She's Having a Baby'' is rated PG-13 (''Special Parental Guidance Suggested for Those Younger Than 13''). It includes some sexual references and strong language. Mating Rituals SHE'S HAVING A BABY, directed, written and produced by John Hughes; director of photography, Don Peterman; music by Stewart Copeland; production designer, John Corso; released by Paramount Pictures. At Guild 50th Street, 33 West 50th Street; Paramount, 61st Street and Broadway; New York Twin, Second Avenue and 66th Street; 34th Street Showplace, between Second and Third Avenues. Running time: 106 minutes. This film is rated PG-13. Jake Briggs... Kevin Bacon Kristy Briggs... Elizabeth McGovern Russ Bainbridge... William Windom Jim Briggs... James Ray Sarah Briggs... Holland Taylor