Review of The Kids Are All Right (2010) by Dc E — 07 Feb 2012

"The Kids Are All Right" 10 Scale Rating: 8.0 (Great Movie) ...

As I continue my journey through Best Picture hopefuls, I continue to be shockingly impressed with this year's field. As with "Winter's Bone", I went in with no expectations and came away wishing I had seen this movie months ago.

A lesbian couple decided to each have a child using the same donor. Now that their children are teenagers, they decide to meet the donor (Mark Ruffalo). Not only do they meet him, they hit it off and want to spend more time with him. Jules (Julianne Moore) also is impressed with him after she starts working for him doing landscaping. Nic (Annette Bening), who is portrayed as the more responsible (if not a little stuffy) one, is opposed and is not a fan.

I think what I like most about this movie is how real it is. Jules and Nic love eachother and have a family, but their relationship is far from perfect. Like all of us, they are flawed and do their best to co-exist despite the issues that have developed between each other. Like most couples, they need to communicate more and realize this before it is all said and done. They don't have picture perfect children either, and their donor is far from a perfect role model. Too often in movies, everyone is the picture of perfection. In "The Kids Are All Right", not only is everyone human and someone you can relate to, but that aspect is celebrated.

A film certainly worthy of a Best Picture nomination for 2010.