Ram Review: The Kids Are All Right

The Kids Are All Right,directed by Lisa Cholodenko (LaurelCanyon), is one of this summer's most talked-about independent movies. It's a "dramedy" about a lesbian couple, Nic (Annette Bening, American Beauty) and Jules (Julianne Moore, A Single Man). Using the same anonymous sperm donor, Nic and Jules each gave birth to a child, respectively, Joni (Mia Wasikowska, Alice in Wonderland) and Laser (Josh Hutcherson, Bridge to Terabithia).

The film picks up the summer before Joni leaves for college. At the time, life at home is pleasant and comfortable, albeit a little dull. Laser comes to his half-sister with a favor: since Joni is now 18, she can contact the sperm bank for information on their biological father. Reluctantly Joni agrees, and they meet their dad, Paul (Mark Ruffalo, Shutter Island), an easy-going bachelor-turned-restaurateur.

At first Nic and Jules are supportive of their children's decision to meet Paul. He even hires Jules, who wants to start a landscaping business, to fix up his garden. Soon, however, his inclusion begins to shift the delicate family dynamic. This culminates when Paul and Jules begin sleeping together on a whim.

            The best thing about The Kids Are All Right is the performances. Moore does a great job as Jules, the unfocused, free-spirited mom still looking for direction in life. Likewise, Bening is a great fit as Nic, the type-A doctor with a fondness for wine.

Their characters could have easily become caricatures, but both actresses approach their roles with honesty. It's instantly believable that these two women have been a relationship spanning two decades. Expect both of them, especially the often-overlooked Benet, to get plenty of nominations and recognition come award season.

Ruffalo also gives a solid performance as Paul. Ruffalo is an underrated actor, and he manages to make Paul likable even though he creates most of the film's tension. Wasikowska is talented as well, and we can expect great things from her in the future. However, the material for her and Hutcherson isn't always the best when the teens are shown on their own or with their friends, the writing is superficial, but two of them shine alongside Moore and Bening.

The script, co-written by director Cholodenko and Stuart Blumberg (Keeping the Faith), is also generally strong, honest and realistic. Thankfully, the movie does not focus too much attention on the fact that the parents are also lesbians. The Kids Are All Right isn't a movie about homosexuality; it's a movie about a family. The people in this movie deal with very real and universal problems, from infidelity to mid-life crises. This is a sophisticated and smart movie, but beyond its premise, it's not as original as one would like. That's why The Kids Are All Right isn't completely satisfying, but it's still a worthwhile watch.