Review of Friends with Kids (2012) by Daniel K — 30 Jul 2013

How easy is it to fall in love with Adam Scott? Too easy. His perfectly tousled man-coif. His boyish but faintly rat-looking nose-mouth combo. His extraordinary ability to tear up at the drop of a hat. His brand of deathly serious deadpan that is neither sarcastic nor snarky.

Herein lies the problem: Scott's Jason is such a lovable guy that it's completely unbelievable that he's the shallow womanizer the plot calls for him to be. He treats his platonic bestie, Julie, like a queen. He entertains her neurotic wee-AM phone calls. He never fails to address her as "Doll," his schmaltzy, old-fashioned moniker for her. Why? It's unclear HOW they became friends, WHY nothing ever happened (beyond the truly weak argument of lack of physical attraction), HOW they maintain their old married couple ease, and WHY he doesn't bend over backward like this for any other woman. Is it because he only has room for one most important woman in his life? Is it because he's in denial about his non-platonic feelings for her? Are they both so blind? Jason and Julie's partnership is too cute and too cooked. Their romantic union is fairly predictable.

This is not to say Jennifer Westfeldt isn't still a remarkable triple threat who creates great films for and about women. The existential questions that come with life, love, and responsibility are witty and devastating. Jason and Julie's hairbrained scheme to have a baby with each other is charming, and it's satisfying to see how together they have it (at first). The cast shines with chaotic humor and cuts with gross cruelty. I rather like Megan Fox, and she plays the perfect hot girl with subtle glamour. Jason's declaration of love and loyalty for the mother of his children is just the tenderest of juggernauts.

All in all, an enjoyable movie dampened by an unrealistic/confusing male lead and a cheap, hurried reconciliation that overemphasizes physical and sexual attraction.