The Kids Are All Right

"Shut the front door"

The Kids Are All Right is the story of Jules and Nic, a lesbian couple with two kids from the same sperm donor, the affable Paul (the truly wonderful Mark Ruffalo).  On turning 18 their oldest child, Joni, is encouraged by her younger brother to look Paul up and so starts a strange new chapter in their family life.

In her post-screening Q&A Lisa Cholodenko recounted a conversation with friend Stuart Blumberg on how to make his films more personal and her own more commercial.  This lead to them sharing the writing credit on this film and I think they've hit the spot; The Kids Are All Right is a bright, witty tale infused with subtle performances and great situation comedy.

Mark Ruffalo pushes his natural ability to play ruffled, amiable and layed back to a new level and makes Paul on the one hand completely loveable and on the other frustratingly unfathomable.  As the film progresses it becomes more and more clear just how intrusive his presence has become simply because he doesn't understand that it is or why it would be.  Julianne Moore is impressive as the wayward Jules.  One of life's 'tryers', Jules has had a go at many things and not stuck at any of them and Moore plays her with a relaxed spirit that cuts beautifully against Annette Bening's more uptight Nic.  Nic is the breadwinner of the family, the committed doctor with a strong idea of where her family life should be headed, but this strength does not lend itself to much genuine empathy.  She tries her best to be a strong and understanding mother but it almost works against her.  The kids are in fact, more that all right - Mia Wasikowska is one of those actresses who, filmed from any angle, throws up a striking image on screen.  Her face is wonderfully expressive and I thought she was absolutely terrific.  Josh Hutcherson also makes the most of his part, fully exploring Laser's bemusement at his reaction to Paul and the impact that it has on his life.

Cholodenko has put together a well-polished film but I would have preferred it to be a little rougher around the edges.  It is all terribly clean but I think that comes from the aim to be slightly more commercial.  That being said, I loved the fact that there was no neat tying up at the end.  Each character continues to do their own thing and go their own way.  The script has enough confidence to let the characters stay themselves, to maintain their flaws, and this is the real strength of the picture.

Not quite as smart as it thinks it is but damn funny - 8/10