I heard all the good buzz about The Kids are All Right from Sundance to Berlin, and all I can say is…believe it. Finally a character-driven movie that incorporates a story so honest and authentic in its telling that it makes going to the movies something to look forward to. The script is so good, I’m jealous I didn’t write it and is totally inspiring to those who write funny, smart, character-driven scripts. Thank you screenwriters Lisa Cholodenko and Stuart Blumberg. Also directed by Lisa Cholodenko (Laurel Canyon) and starring Annette Bening (in her best role since American Beauty), Julianne Moore and Mark Ruffalo, The Kids is about a married lesbian couple living in present day Southern California – and so much more. There’s no hidden message, liberal lecturing or sneaky plugging of alternative lifestyles. The movie is a truly honest portrayal of parents and kids and marriage and what it all means. Centering around the kids finding their “donor” dad – Josh Hutcherson’s (Bridge to Teribethia) portrayal of a son without a father figure is refreshing brilliant – the movie intelligently becomes a journey to the core of the humanity of a family dynamic. Unfortunately the film’s crappy release time might get in the way come award season, but hopefully the momentum can carry through the summer and fall, and this Indie wonder can get the accolades it deserves.
Oh, and Mark Ruffalo has never been cuter.