An all too rare example of a funny, heart warming and insightful adult American comedy.
Though meandering and sometimes smug, Kids is a Sundance-mainstream crossover that should make 2010 best lists and inspire thankfulness for the family you have.
A witty, warm exploration of family life that’s conventional and unconventional in equal measure.
Moore and Bening are so winning, the first an overgrown teenager forever clutching at passing wisdoms, the second a template for self-possession who can become a tetchy she-cat, that they may be in danger of becoming double-act material for a long-running soap or sitcom.
Amid the comedy there are some sharp observations made about nature versus nurture, marriage, and what it takes to bring up children. Nothing is as simple as it seems.
Though maybe a touch of contrivance is involved by the time certain revelations come to light, and the final scenes could do with some tightening, this is a rich and rewarding drama that ultimately demonstrates that parenting is hard, no matter how you’re going about it.
It’s remarkable how often Cholodenko, who wrote the script with Stuart Blumberg, finds exactly the mid-point between comedy and hurt.
Lisa Cholodenko's sparkling picture is an easygoing comedy of emotional difficulty, a witty portrait of postmodern family life in which script, casting, direction and location all just float together without any apparent effort at all.
Piercingly funny, subtle and moving.
Expect to hear much more of this film come awards season.
The kids are alright...and the film is terrific
The Kids Are All Right comes across as the smartest and sanest American comedy in a long time.
The Kids Are All Right is a wise, sensible and extremely moving film about mutual affection, responsibility, sharing lives, growing up and growing old. It is frank and often hilariously funny, yet not essentially a comedy, and in its final stages becomes deeply serious without becoming solemn or sentimental.
Warm-hearted, truthful, hugely enjoyable performances from Moore, Bening and Ruffalo also help make it a much breezier film than anything else around.
Though it is by no means groundbreaking, the colourful photography and personalities combined with excellent performances lend The Kids Are All Right a fresh, authentic feel.
The Kids Are All Right: Mark Ruffalo interview
Spotted: an older woman on screen
Mark Ruffalo
Happy to take the hit
Annette Bening
Lisa Cholodenko: 'I'm cynical about the gay martyr movie'
Julianne Moore: 'I'm going to cry. Sorry.'
The Kids Are All Right. But are they?
Interview: Mark Ruffalo, actor
When the agonies of adolescence end too soon
General release. Check local listings for show times.
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