Film Review: Annette Bening, Julianne Moore Out in the Light With ‘The Kids Are All Right’

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CHICAGO – It is Hollywood that is often ahead of the social curve, expressing in art what most people can’t fathom in real life. “The Kids Are All Right” is that type of consciousness, depicting a committed lesbian couple – played by Annette Bening and Julianne Moore – coming to grips with transitions occurring with their kids.

Rating: 3.0/5.0

Bening portrays Nic and Moore is Jules, a seemingly perfect domestic couple raising two children, Joni (Mia Wasikowska) and Laser (Josh Hutcherson). Joni has just graduated from high school and will begin college in the fall. Her brother Laser has a request for her to fulfill a promise, that after her 18th birthday (a requirement) she would look up the person that provided the sperm donation that spawned both of them.

That man turns out to be Paul (Mark Ruffalo), a local restauranteur. Initially shocked when the kids contact him, Paul soon decides that he will ingratiate himself into their lives, and even meets Nic and Jules. Nic is very cool towards Paul, and starts lashing out against him. The rest of the family accept the new arrangement, but the jealousy and suspicion from Nic nearly ruins the reunion.

Paul also needs his backyard landscaped. Jules is starting a business that does just that, and their liaison in that project takes a turn that could threaten the main family even further. Things begin to explode when certain indiscretions are revealed and at the same time Joni and Laser deepen their connection to Paul. In the midst of all these transitions, something has definitely got to give.

Continue reading for Patrick McDonald’s full review of “The Kids Are All Right”

Annette Bening, Julianne Moore, Josh Hutcherson, Mia Wasikowska and Mark Ruffalo in ‘The Kids Are All Right’ © Focus Features

Continue reading for Patrick McDonald’s full review of “The Kids Are All Right”