Review of A.C.O.D. (2013) by Maksim B — 14 Mar 2014

Mildly sharp, mildly funny and mildly entertaining Adult Children of Divorced (A.C.O.D.) is a modern relationship story, which is not as funny as it aspires to be, but surprises with some painful and honest insights. Boasted by very strong and refreshing performances, this is a passable independent production, which would satisfy without being anything special.

As the name of the movie implies, it all goes about a young and successful man named Carter (Adam Scott) who is a child of divorced parents and who apparently had a nightmare childhood which even entered the scientific literature. When Carter's younger brother Trey (Clarke Duke) gets engaged, bringing their divorced (and hating each other) parents together for the wedding becomes the impossible task which Carter has to complete. Soon, Carter faces a situation which he has never anticipated and this brings him almost back to his nightmare childhood.

A movie, based on situations and smart humor, A.C.O.D tries to explore and to delve a bit deeper into the emotional and psychological development of adult children of divorce. It does not really succeed in this, as the audience would hardly really care about Carter and his problems resulting from his traumatic past and confusing present. This is, however, compensated by several moments in which A.C.O.D truly shines as an imperfect independent movie benefitting from terrific performances. It is thanks to Richard Jenkins and Catherine O'Hara (as Carter's divorced parents) that A.C.O.D. is compels. Their hilarious, scandalizing and magnetic relationship is result from the brilliant performances of Jenkins and O'Hara. Add to them the cynical and manipulative Jane Lynch (as Dr. Judith) and you will have a cast that almost completely compensates for the movie's flaws.

If we compare A.C.O.D. to other independent art-house deliveries, it would definitely not match the genre classics. Still, even if not sufficiently sharp and provoking, Adult Children of Divorced provides a watchable entertainment.