Oct 21

Oct 21 The Kids Are All Right (2010)

This family drama stars Annette Bening and Julianne Moore in fine turns as the married parents of a daughter and son they had via artificial insemination. Years later, the teen-aged children seek out the donor, portrayed ably by Mark Ruffalo. There’s a lot right about this film that focuses on character, commendably depicting the normality of a same-sex married couple. The script seems a bit clunky in parts, though, and the editing and direction occasionally feel claustrophobic. Good, but not great.

¾ (out of ***)

2010 • 1 HOUR, 46 MINUTES
FOCUS FEATURES • GILBERT FILMS • SAINT AIRE PRODUCTION • 10TH HOLE PRODUCTIONS • ANTIDOTE FILMS • MANDALAY VISION • UGC PH

STARRING
• ANNETTE BENING, JULIANNE MOORE

ALSO STARRING
• MARK RUFFALO, MIA WASIKOWSKA, JOSH HUTCHERSON

WRITTEN BY
• LISA CHOLODENKO & STUART BLUMBERG

DIRECTED BY
• LISA CHOLODENKO

2010 ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATIONS (4)
• BEST PICTURE (LOST TO THE KING’S SPEECH)
• BEST ACTRESS: ANNETTE BENING (LOST TO NATALIE PORTMAN FOR BLACK SWAN)
• BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: MARK RUFFALO (LOST TO CHRISTIAN BALE FOR THE FIGHTER)
• BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY (LOST TO THE KING’S SPEECH)