The Kids are Alright

Wednesday 2nd February 2011

Downstairs at the Prince Charles Cinema

The Kids Are All Right is the story of a lesbian couple Nic and Jules, played by Annette Bening and Julianne Moore respectively, they live in a wealthy suburb of Los Angeles with their two biologically created children Joni and Laser. There is just one problem however, Joni is about to leave for University and to fulfil the wishes of her brother she seeks out the pairs biological father, Paul (played by Mark Ruffalo). They meet in his trendy, green friendly restaurant and whilst Laser is cautious of the free spirited Paul his easy going demeanour strikes an endearing chord with Joni, who invites him into the nucleus of the family. 

The script tackles its subject of same sex marriages with the depth and thoughtfulness it deserves. Whilst Nic is a clearly a typical representation of lesbian femininity, Julianne Moore's Jules gives a more dynamic and complex portrayal as the uncommitted, confused recreational landscape gardener. This is of course a thoroughly contemporary portrayal of lesbianism and same-sex marriage - with Nic and Jules' longevity and commitment to one another carefully construed through their cosy affection for one another. The role of the kids, Joni and Laser plays an significant part in this depiction of the non-nuclear family as a harmonious easy going bunch. One sequence in particular where the parents describe how they first met through the problem of Jules' numb tongue is handled with brilliant poise, full of immaculate comic timing and brilliantly knowing looks.

The film is shot with a deft, Hollywood sheen to it all whilst the locations never veer far from LA prosperity - this is the middle classes in their most unconventional form, a same sex marriage. Thus, it is the performances which are really to be admired here. In particular Mia Wasikowska gives a brilliant turn as the thoughtful, intelligent Joni seeking out her place within the world but never becoming the overly dramatic, trouble teen we so often see portrayed in these dramas. Playing a free spirited, easy going single male with whom the audience can emphasise with is no easy feat but Mark Ruffalo does a sterling job portraying the kind-hearted, uber cool birth father of Paul. Interestingly following the introduction of Buffalo's character, the films narrative goes off into a rather predictable tangent. This is not at the cost of the light hearted, humorous tone which opens the film but the focus does slowly shift to away from the endearing characters of Joni and Laser towards those of their parents. Becoming a well worn routine of self questioning and doubt from the adult minds. Whilst the opportunities for breaks of humour are endless during these sequences the director opts towards a moral conclusion that in effect outlines what Hollywood melodramas have done for years - 'marriage is never easy folks'. Indeed Jules' concluding speech delivered in the cosy environment of the living room, borders on the cringe-worthily righteous and is full of Hollywood moral cliches but nonetheless allows the film to draw to a neat close. As Laser summarises - 'you guys shouldn't break up, your too old'.

Overall this is a thoroughly enjoyable, light-hearted affair that perhaps could have ventured to more interesting realms as the story had progressed. Nonetheless it demonstrates more than anything else the importance of an interesting screenplay - one that's full of dynamic conflicting relationships, witty one liners and brilliantly crafted scenes. The Hollywood sheen to the whole affair wasn't as irritating as I had expected and having being set underneath those famous white letters, the look felt appropriately at ease with this contemporary tale of love and forgiveness.

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