Review of The Kids Are All Right (2010) by The Critic ( — 06 Apr 2013

The kids might be all right, but the cracks are evident in their parents' relationship; the introduction of sperm donor Paul (Mark Ruffalo) is more of an issue for couple Nic (Annette Benning) and Jules (Julianne Moore) than their adolescent children Joni (Mia Wasikowaska) and Laser (Josh Hutcherson).

Admittedly, this quirky picture paints in broad strokes as its central characters are faced with a journey of self-discovery, though it's a theme that's explored more from the parents' point-of-view.

And this is where the success of the film lays. Utilising a lesbian couple may come across as a gimmick at first (the parents could've easily been heterosexual), but 'The Kids Are All Right' is so well-enough written and exceptionally acted by all concerned, that everything progresses at such a natural pace and the normality of the predicament is never put into question; Nic and Jules are a normal couple, raising a normal family, facing normal problems.

It says a lot about a film that can represent a contemporary family this way and it says just as much about an audience who is willing to accept them.