Directed by Lisa Cholodenko
Where & When: Arclight Cinemas, Hollywood, CA. July 20, 2010 7:45PM
The definition of what a "family" is has evolved over the years. Today, people are more open to the idea that parents can consist of something beyond a man and a woman, which brings us to the comedy-drama from Lisa Cholodenko, "The Kids Are All Right".
Nic (Annette Bening) and Jules (Julianne Moore) are a couple, together for over twenty years, who each gave birth to a child using the sperm of the same anonymous donor and they have raised their children together in Los Angeles. Nic is a very busy doctor while Jules stayed at home to care for the kids but now that they are older, she wants to get back to work and start a landscaping business. While Nic is tough, no-nonsense and the breadwinner which makes her more like a father figure of the family and Jules is the more maternal one, yet both bring a decidedly feminine approach in regards to the raising of their children.
Joni (Mia Wasikowska), Nic's daughter, is about to turn eighteen and go off to college and Jules's son, Laser (Josh Hutcherson) is fifteen and has had his fill of a house full of estrogen. Laser asks his sister to put in an inquiry about their biological father so he could meet him. Joni is not particularly interested in doing this and she is concerned that it might hurt both of their mother's feelings but reluctantly agrees.
It turns out that their father is very interested in meeting them and they arrange to meet at his restaurant. Paul (Mark Ruffalo), is lighthearted, an environmentalist and a confirmed bachelor. After their initial meeting, Paul hopes to stay in contact with his kids. Laser was unimpressed with him but Joni really wants to form a relationship with him but both decide to keep this from their mothers, at least, for a while.
After a misunderstanding about his sexuality, Laser winds up telling his moms that he had met his father. They are both surprised and a little upset but decide that they should at least meet this man if the kids are going to continue contact with him. Although Nic is a little icy towards Paul, they all have a nice dinner together and later Paul even decides to hire Jules to design the back yard of his house.
Paul certainly shakes up the household with the kids liking their father's loose and easy-going attitude compared to their more strict house rules while Jules enjoys all of the attention he gives her that Nic has been too busy to do. Unfortunately, Paul's desire to force his way in to this ready-made family and his lack of boundaries effects the family in a way that could potentially tear them apart.
"The Kids Are All Right" is hilarious, charming and features some well defined characters with all the emotions and flaws that people recognize and can relate to. It wisely chose not to deal with the political aspects of the issue of gay parenting, keeping the focus strictly on the relationships within this family. I found it so refreshing that this film deals with the lives of gay people and yet these characters being gay is not the focus of the story.
I was thrilled that two of my favorite actresses were in the same movie together and they make a terrific team. Bening, who has given many fine performances over her film career, is the stand out here. Her Nic shields herself with a sharp tongue and steely exterior but underneath lies a sensitive and vulnerable woman. Bening may have the more showy part but Moore's Jules is the emotional center of their family. She is very good as Jules is trying to rediscover herself after many years of happily giving her life over to her family but is desperate for a little recognition from her partner. Both of these ladies should be remembered during Oscar season.
To be honest, I hadn't given too much thought before about Ruffalo although I was fully aware he was a solid performer with his roles in "You Can Count on Me", "13 Going on 30" and "Zodiac". But in this film, the actor is seen in a way we don't normally get to see him. Funny, magnetic and very sexy, Ruffalo effectively plays Paul as a man who has always used his seductive charm to his advantage and usually unconcerned about the potential damage he can cause in the process.
This is a great cast and all of the actors here bring their very best which includes "America's Next Top Model" runner-up, Yaya DaCosta who gives a nice performance as Tanya, Paul's employee/sleep-over buddy. But the real revelation in this film is Wasikowska. She has nice little moments throughout but I found her deeply moving as she silently holds back tears watching her family drive away after she's been dropped off at college. Her recent lead performance in Tim Burton's "Alice in Wonderland" from earlier this year has only given audiences just a small taste of what she is capable of as an actor and I'm certainly interested in what Wasikowska will do in the future.
Cholodenko has made some very intriguing, yet not fully realized films like "High Art" and "Laurel Canyon". But with "The Kids Are All Right", the director has certainly reached a high point as a filmmaker. I think she is helped greatly with the writing what you know philosophy in this semi-autobiographical screenplay she co-wrote with Stuart Blumberg and together have crafted a warm, witty and emotionally honest story. I cannot possibly praise "The Kids Are All Right" enough. I feel certain that people in the major cities will appreciate the charm and humor of this film but I just hope that the folks in rural America will also be open to give this movie a chance.
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