Review of Friends with Kids (2012) by Ola G — 10 Apr 2013

Jason (Adam Scott), an advertising executive, and Julie (Jennifer Westfeldt), a charitable investment advisor, is a pair of longtime best friends in their 30s who live in the same building in Manhattan. While not involved romantically, Jason and Julie are close friends with two childless married couples, the placid Alex (Chris O'Dowd ) and Leslie (Maya Rudolph) and the sex-obsessed Ben (Jon Hamm) and Missy (Kristen Wiig). During the next four years, after both couples have children, their marriages suffer. Following a chaotic birthday party for Jason at Alex and Leslie's place in Brooklyn, Jason and Julie discuss how it would be better to have children first and only then meet the person that you wanted to marry. After more discussion, they decide to have a child together, despite never having had a romantic relationship, and then to date other people. Although their friends predict disaster, Jason and Julie adjust to their new relationship with baby Joe far better than their friends had imagined. However, their stable relationship begins to slip when Jason first begins dating Mary Jane (Megan Fox), a Broadway dancer, and Julie then begins dating Kurt (Edward Burns), a divorced construction contractor with children of his own. Both seems like perfect mates for Jason and Julie. What could go wrong?...

"Friends With Kids" asks the question "Is it possible for two people that are not really attracted to one another to have a baby, and while raising it, make efforts to meet and see other people? For sure a question that raises eyebrows here and there. I reckon I see this as a very selfish decision, but at the same time knowing of the difficulties that emerge when trying to maintain a solid relationship at the same time when a kid is involved, I am not sure if the core family thing is always the best decision either. It´s a hard one I guess. I don´t have kids myself yet. Not sure if I want to have either. "Friends With Kids" is based on a smartish dialogue which is fine. The acting is not too shabby and the story has it´s points, but I reckon it makes you mostly feel less intrigued about getting a kid and starting a family. The downsides we see are a plenty, and I reckon we see too much of that and not enough of the positive sides of family life. Interesting to see Kristen Wiig in a more dramatic role for once. "Friends With Kids" tries to be Woody Allenish, but get´s a bit lost on the way and I think the ending dialogue is not working in my ears at least. OK, but nothing more.