Film Review: "The Kids Are All Right"

“The Kids Are All Right”
Comedy; USA; 104 minutes
Directed by Lisa Cholodenko
Starring Annette Bening, Julianne Moore, Mark Ruffalo, Mia Wasikowska, Josh Hutcherson

A film review by Blake Mitchell

Marriage is hard. And raising children isn’t exactly a walk in the park either. At least, that’s what I’m told. This truth applies to all couples and families, including the Allgoods, a modern family led by a long-time committed lesbian couple. At first glance, this film may seem as if its purpose is to desensitize viewers to gay marriage and child rearing. And while it may do that, what makes this film unique is – unlike films like “Brokeback Mountain” – it shows how most gay couples actually live. It shows the good; it shows the bad; it shows everything in between.

The film follows Nic (Bening) and Jules (Moore) and their two children, Joni and Laser. Joni (Wasikowski) is a smart, articulate young woman who is preparing to leave for college. Laser (Hutcherson) is a sensitive guy who is dealing with all the typical issues of a 15-year-old boy. They are normal kids with normal issues. Their interaction with their parents is also in no way out of the ordinary, except that they refer to them as their “moms.”

It’s evident from the beginning of the film that both Joni and Laser have an interest in meeting their biological father Paul (Ruffalo). Paul has not been involved in their lives previously, so against their mothers’ wishes they arrange a meeting with him. Ultimately, reaching out to Paul comes at the expense of their family’s stability.

Paul affects the life of each family member in a unique way, but his interaction with Jules is of particular interest. Jules turns to Paul when she feels that her own spouse Nic is not supportive of her ambition to be a landscape architect. Oddly enough, there is a clear sexual tension between Paul and Jules, and before long their interactions begin to test the strength of this family.

This film is refreshing because it doesn’t try to paint a perfect picture of gay marriage. Instead, it communicates to viewers that homosexual marriages are no different than heterosexual marriages. Nic and Jules fight; they struggle with communication; they are tempted; they get their feelings hurt and make rude comments to each other; and their kids get embarrassed by them.

While Julianne Moore and the supporting actors deliver memorable performances, Annette Bening steals the film with her hilarious and emotional portrayal of Nic, a type-A physician and mother who communicates her criticisms perfectly with a simple squint of her eyes. Bening’s uptight character Nic is the ying to her wife Jules’ much-more-relaxed yang, giving their relationship a wonderful balance.

Bening delivers her snarky dialogue effortlessly, and her sass offers a great deal of comedy to the film. My personal favorite line in the film comes when Paul tries to offer Nic parenting advice and she snaps back, “I need your observations like I need a dick in my ass!”

In the end, as a woman deeply offended and bruised, Bening’s outpour of emotion will captivate audiences and communicate the couple’s struggles clearly.

A pleasant surprise will be found in young actress Mia Wasikowski who plays Joni, the older daughter. Wasikowski, who has recently starred in “That Evening Sun” and Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland”, certainly holds her own in this film next to much more seasoned actors. Her portrayal of Joni, a kind-hearted – and sometimes rebellious – daughter, seeking her mothers’ approval, is genuine and heartfelt.

The script, crafted by Stuart Blumberg and director Lisa Cholodenko, is well-written, well-paced, and witty, showcasing the complex family relationships and dynamics present in the film.

Let me be frank: I think we all know that being a gay parent is tough, exacerbated by the fact that many people don’t think homosexuals can be legitimate parents pr form legitimate families. Having comedic dialogue allows characters to lighten the mood while skirting sensitive issues. In addition, phrases like “you think I’m just a sad sack middle-aged lesbian” are not only funny but also allow characters to poke fun at themselves.

If you’re searching for a cinematic masterpiece, full of deep meaning and perfect construction, you’re looking in the wrong place. What this film delivers is a comedic look at the life of one atypical American family. It evokes emotion and it delivers laughs. For a different and rewarding trip to the cinema, I recommend “The Kids Are All Right.”