Los Angeles goes all-out new age in Lisa Cholodenko's queer comedy-drama The Kids Are All Right. Starring Annette Bening and Julianne Moore as lesbian couple Nic and Jules, the film explores their family life with teen kids Joni (as in Joni Mitchell, Mia Wasikowska fresh from Wonderland), a whip-smart yet uptight scientist like Nic, and Laser (Josh Hutcherson) the "sensitive jock". Laser asks Joni to find their biological father Paul (Mark Ruffalo) and a relationship between the organic farmer-cum-restauranteur and his new-found children quickly develops, shifting the family dynamics.
Ruffalo plays to type well without appearing two-dimensional, all the while encouraging real growth of character without the touchy-feely nonsense at home. While their language often detracts from the message, The Kids are All Right is a well-written drama and deferential take on gay relationships. Bening’s controlling streak and unwillingness to connect with Paul pushes her to the outer boundaries of the family, making her a hard-faced villain for much of the picture. Meanwhile Moore reels it in as the insecure Jules, whose missteps and atonement echo throughout the tone of the film.
Though it is by no means groundbreaking, the colourful photography and personalities combined with excellent performances lend it a fresh, authentic feel.
The Kids Are All Right is released in UK cinemas on Friday 29 October.
2 comments:
Wow I didn't realize you guys were getting this so late! But then again I was surprised by its limited release considering how much press it got. I had trouble getting into it because I didn't like most of the characters and the nature of Jules' affair seemed out of place in one of the more mainstream American lesbian films. Excellent performances though!
It's interesting you say that you disliked the characters - I can't say I particularly liked any of them, but I thought that their actions and motivations were very well conceived and justified. I especially liked that Nic is kind of pushed into being the villain of the piece, then Jules' monologue makes you realise that she's not really that horrible, that most of what we think of her comes from Jules' insecurities.
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