Winter 2010 Film Reviews I

The Kids Are All Right (2010): B

The Kids Are All Right is about the domestic struggles of an unorthodox family. The film's title suggest that it is about the trials and tribulations of the children in the family but that is not really the case. In the film the teenage children who are raised by lesbians search out for their sperm donor father. The family's struggles when the sperm donor father becomes involved in the family is what the film is about.

Despite the uncommon or rare family structure in the film its fairly relatable and certain scenes were emotional and kind of touching. The film is billed as a comedy and its really not hilarious or even funny - there are humorous situations but the film's goal is clearly not to make you laugh. My biggest issue with the film is the lack of any real character depth or development. This is most pronounced in the supporting characters but also exists to some extent within the five lead characters. For example there are the stock characters of a geeky, socially awkward friend, outspoken, slutty friend, and another friend who is dumb, violent and crude. These characteristics define the characters; there is nothing to do characters than the fact that they are dumb or awkward. 

The character of Paul (the sperm donor father) who I guess is supposed to be the villain of the film was in my opinion the best part of the film. The character is fully developed and the character doesn't just do one thing. Watching the movie you can tell how twisted and confused he is and how he is not unsure of what he should do. Paul changes through the film; for the most part none of the other characters grow or change.

At the end of the film the struggles of the family are more or less pinned solely on Paul. Looking at it from the perspective of the character (who is an outsider and not part of the family) he is repeatedly used by the family and once they no longer need him they just throw him away. I felt like that his treatment was more than a little cruel. Mark Ruffalo (who plays Paul) is just extraordinary in the film and the actors who play the two kids do a nice job as well. There are a lot of things to like in the film like the dialogue for example flows really nice and is realistic. I never once though I was watching a movie and there weren't any ridiculous lines that people don't say.  Overall it is an enjoyable film and is a moving family drama that succeeds despite some of its flaws.