The Kids Are All Right

Los Angeles goes all-out new age with Lisa Cholodenko's queer comedy-drama The Kids Are All Right. Starring Annette Bening and Julianne Moore as lesbian couple Nic and Jules, the film explores their family life with teen kids Joni (as in Joni Mitchell, Mia Wasikowska fresh from Wonderland), a whip-smart yet uptight scientist like Nic, and Laser (Josh Hutcherson) a "sensitive jock". Laser asks Joni to find their biological father Paul (Mark Ruffalo), an organic farmer-cum-restaurateur who anonymously donated sperm 18 years previously. A relationship between Paul and his new-found children quickly develops, shifting the family dynamics.

Ruffalo plays to type well as the sexually appealing offbeat businessman without appearing two-dimensional. He encourages real growth of character in the kids without resorting to the touchy-feely nonsense they experience from their mothers at home. While the mums' overly bohemian language about the value of relationships often detracts from the message, The Kids Are All Right is a well-written drama and deferential take on same-sex parenting. Bening’s character’s controlling streak and unwillingness to connect with Paul pushes her to the outer boundaries of the family, making her a hard-faced villain for much of the picture. Meanwhile Moore reels it in as the insecure Jules, whose missteps and atonement echo throughout the tone of the film.

Though it is by no means groundbreaking, the colourful photography and personalities combined with excellent performances lend The Kids Are All Right a fresh, authentic feel. [Nicola Balkind]