Independent filmmaker Lisa Cholodenko's (Laurel Canyon) third feature, a Berlin Film Festival winning comedy-drama with Annette Bening, Julianne Moore and Mark Ruffalo.
Nic (Bening) and Jules (Moore) are in a long term, committed relationship. Nic is a physician who needs to wield what she believes is control, whereas Jules, an unsuccessful entrepreneur, is less self-assured. They have two teenaged children, Joni (Alice in Wonderland's Mia Wasikowska) and Laser (Cirque du Freak's Josh Hutcherson), born of each woman from the same unknown sperm donor. Shortly after Joni's eighteenth birthday and shortly before she plans to head off to uni, Laser pleads with her to try and contact their 'father'. Reluctantly, she does, and so Paul (Mark Ruffalo) – a co-op farmer and restaurateur – is introduced to the family...
Much has been made of the outsider credentials of Lisa Cholodenko’s touchy-feely dramedy. But besides the leads’ not especially convincing same-sex relationship, a few flecks of narrative grit and frequent references to artificial insemination, it may as well be 'My Two Moms'.
Crotchety Annette Bening and wishy-washy Julianne Moore are living out a suffocating suburban existence with their kids Mia (Alice In Wonderland) Wasikowska and Josh Hutcherson, the only differences being a) hey, they’re lesbians, and b) their son’s called Laser.
When original sperm donor Mark Ruffalo breezes back into their lives in a blur of smiley testosterone, their inadequacies are reflected back at them, and everyone learns a lesson, except Laser, who should probably think about using a nickname.
Starting irritatingly but improving, as awkward truths combine with comfortable clichés, the film never quite escapes the feeling of facsimile, that these are just plot points affecting convenient, movie-ish characters, rather than anything drawn from real life. Why did Bening’s control freak cede her family’s biological destiny to the same unknown man? Because it makes a good story. Why would she let her kid be called Laser? Because it sounds cool. And how, despite such a talented, femme-centric cast, does Ruffalo’s loveable idiot manage to walk off with the film?
By Matt Glasby, Flicks.co.nz
The film is a 'dramedy' but I remember it as a comedy more, and that is definitely no insult to the story. This film is hilarious. Go see it. But on the story, it is original and very good, but not fantastic. Bening and Moore create a realistic marriage with their kids. There are many issues of modern society that the film faces (including same-sex marriage obviously) and the film makes some statements about these issues, but they are never shoved in your face. It shows this family with two mums, just as any family would be shown on the screen - it has its ups and its downs. Every character learns a lesson, big or small. Moore's empassioned speech at the end tops off a fantastic performance that should have earned her an oscar nomination. Bening was also superb and believable as a lover that has been betrayed, as a bread winner, as a mother and a wife in this family. There are some points in the story where it is more comedy than sensical story, but that is more than okay as the comedy definitely more than makes up for it. In the end, many seem to have a problem with Ruffalo's character (another fantastic performance) seemingly disappearing - but this film is the story of this family, and once he is out of the life of the family - he is out of the film. While the audience would like to have all the answers, it would not add anything to the film at all. 7/10 - 4 Stars
Cool movie. Different, with an offbeat humour and character you don't see every day. There's nothing like a dysfunctionally functional family to make you feel more normal. Some hilarious scenarios still make me laugh.
This is a film about two lesbians who have two kids. The kids decide to find the sperm donor that fathered them and things kind of go from there. There are solid performances from Anette Bening, Julianne Moore as the lesbians, and Mark Ruffalo as the sperm donor. This film was enjoyable and I recommend it
As my friend said to me as we left "Well, that was that!" And that about all it was.
sad to say i found this a very lame movie. i would have thought with such leading ladies as miss bening and miss moore, i would have been more impressed. the story line was lacking. the kids held it together as did the gorgeous mark ruffalo.
Moore and Bening are superb actors here, evoking a marriage of more than 20 years, and all of its shadings and secrets, idealism and compromise.
A witty, warm exploration of family life that's conventional and unconventional in equal measure.
This love letter to gay-marriage supporters is respectably entertaining filmmaking, it's just not exceptional.
It is outrageously funny without ever exaggerating for comic effect, and heartbreaking with only minimal melodramatic embellishment.
Though meandering and sometimes smug, Kids is a Sundance-mainstream crossover that should make 2010 best lists and inspire thankfulness for the family you have.
We've been told the NZ release date for this flick is Sunday, 26th Dec 2010.
Release date: December 26th 2010.
We haven't received times for this movie in this location yet. However these are updated as cinemas announce them, so check back soon. Hopefully the lovely cinemas in your location will choose to play it shortly. ~Ed.
