Review of The Kids Are All Right (2010) by Chriss M — 15 Oct 2011

Wasn't really expecting to dig this so much. Kind of thought it was going to be just another family drama, you know, 'cause that's kind of the point, right? Gay couple, adoption, kids, blah blah blah, but really just the normal family. That's the very obvious premise you can expect: 'the movie every Liberal ejaculates too, must-see left-wing porno of 2010.'.

And you know, as boring as 'family drama' may sound, the movie is actually fairly brilliant. Again, the fact that the main characters just so happen to be lesbians almost becomes inconsequential, which is a very good thing. It advances the trend in film, in which not every story involving a gay character must revolve around his or her sexuality (See Xavier Dolan's movies for more of this).

The director executes the premise with skill, wit and a nonchalance that the weirdness of the film is not even considered by about the fifteen minute mark. Instead, the viewer will be absorbed in the characters and their dramas.

This is in no small part due to the funny script, but credit should go particularly toward the actors here; every one of them displays a rawness that makes the characters more than just a 'narrative trigger', I guess what I'm saying is, the actors really bring these characters alive.

The well-rounded, overall quality of the movie is so high, that never will the film seem preachy, or have the appearance of a movie with an agenda. Yes, it has a message, but the film is about just any other family.

A real achievement.