The Kids Are All Right
Starring: Annette Bening, Julianne Moore, Mark Ruffalo, Mia Wasikowska
When Lisa Cholodenko was penning the script for this movie, the writer/director – who’s dating musician Wendy Melvoin – fell pregnant via a sperm-donor.
It’s small wonder, then, The Kids Are All Right – about a lesbian couple whose children of artificial insemination track down their biological father – is such a beautifully observed film.
Packed with believable characters and spot-on dialogue, this comedy drama is a fascinating and hugely entertaining exploration into family dynamics.
Heading a great cast are Bening and Moore as life partners Nic and Jules, who have to deal with the fact that teenage kids Joni (Wasikowska) and Laser (Josh Hutcherson) have invited their dad Paul (Ruffalo) into their lives.
When Jules hits it off with Paul, it puts strain on her relationship with Nic. As one awkward conversation follows another, the film manages to be funny and poignant, especially when Moore and Bening share the screen. Ruffalo lends fine support while Wasikowska underlines her reputation as Australia’s most promising young actress with a multi-layered performance.
True, some story strands aren’t probably tied up but it’s a minor gripe in what is an otherwise well-conceived film.
4/5
GOOD FOR: Those who like dramedies with a difference.
Watch The Kids Are All Right trailer here.
– Pierre De Villers
