Review of Friends with Kids (2012) by Ryan M — 11 Jun 2013

Two close friends decide to have a child but maintain their search for "The One.".

Jennifer Westfeldt is fast becoming one of my favorite new filmmakers. It is right that she works with Edward Burns in this film because their films have similar milieus, and her slice-of-life comedies bare the mark of Woody Allen's influence. She may make her way to my list of favorite neurotic Jews, an honor that all should aspire to. Her comic eye is sharp, her dialogue is extraordinarily witty, and her direction has Burns's and Allen's ease.

As he often does, Adam Scott gives an exceptional performance as Westfeldt's leading man. He's got such great comic timing, balanced by an ability to turn on sharp intensity when the dramatic scenes call for it.

The story seems quite familiar, delving in to how children can throw lives astray but also how getting older changes friendships. Westfeldt may be young, but she's got an old, cynical soul, tempered by a charming romanticism; only she could make "I want to fuck the shit out of you" the most romantic line in the film.

Overall, Friends with Kids is an exceptionally strong film from a gifted filmmaker.