FILM REVIEW: The Kids are All Right

Oct 29 2010 by Catherine Jones, Liverpool Echo

WITH seven nominations and not a single win between them, Annette Bening and Julianne Moore are two of Hollywood’s greatest and shamefully unrewarded actresses.

Both should expect further nominations for their scintillating performances in this touching comedy, an emotionally raw portrait of a family in crisis that doesn’t ever become gloomy or depressing.

Control freak doctor Nic (Bening) and her long-term partner Jules (Moore) have each raised a child, Joni (Mia Wasikowska) and Laser (Josh Hutcherson), using sperm from the same anonymous donor.

The family unit is secure and happy, and the two women lavish love upon the well-adjusted teens.

When Joni and Laser decide to secretly track down their biological father, they bring organic restaurant owner Paul (Mark Ruffalo) into their happy home.

Paul is a slacker, who rides a motorcycle – a definite no-no for Nic – and is sleeping with one of his waitresses.

Nic understandably feels threatened but Jules tries to remain calm.