Review of The Kids Are All Right (2010) by Rubia — 14 Aug 2013

What to say about The Kids Are All Right?

Some good moments, but couldn't see any sophistication or humour. It's a high concept movie wich only difference is to bring a lesbian couple as the apparently perfect family: the father-provider (Nic), who works hard and always get the bad part (the boring parent), the free spirit, lovely but bored housewife (Jules), the beautiful and nice kids. It's interesting how the "bio-dad" figure is brought to the story and all its consequences, but it could've been better explored and not fall into common sense.

All the structure family is about to ruin with Paul. He's a cool guy and is doing "his" role quite well being present and giving confidence to both Laser and Joni. In any moment they wonder what all that means, except for Nic. They only see themselves as a (close) family again when Paul fucks up. And when that happens, all the fault is put over him. Joni says she just wished that he could've been better. Wouldn't it be more sensate and logical to expect that Jules, her mother, could've been better and not him? Jules has all excuses (marriage is hard, she didn't feel appreciate) and in the end is nothing but the common "it's all men's fault" (easy sex, immaturity, the family destroyer).

Paul basically says Jules she's talented and agrees with all she does and that is enough to make her feel appreciated. Ok, it can happen, but we could understand it if it was with a woman. Lesbians don't have such fantasies. Bisexual women do. Is human sexuality complicated? Oh, please! Not to mention the typical (and tiresome) "male-wild" sex scenes.