Blu-ray Review: Great Ensemble Can’t Save ‘Friends with Kids’

Printer-friendly versionE-mail page to friendPDF version

CHICAGO – The cover of “Friends with Kids” sells it as a fun ensemble comedy with three cast members from “Bridesmaids,” one of the stars of “Parks and Recreation,” and the super-talented Jon Hamm looking particularly cheery. It’s false advertising. In truth, the movie belongs to Adam Scott and co-star/writer/director Jennifer Westfeldt and even the small roles by the rest of the cast are often more dramatic than comedic. Even without the false bill of goods, “Friends with Kids” is a disappointing. It’s a strong vehicle for Scott and Hamm has a few good scenes but it’s ultimately less than the sum of its talented parts.

Rating: 2.0/5.0

I think the problem with “Friends with Kids” is that it’s a film that fails the classic “write what you know” test. Westfeldt has crafted a story about how parenthood changes relationships but she’s not a parent herself. Consquently, the actual child in the film comes off as more of a plot device than a reality. It doesn’t help that Westfeldt can’t write believable dialogue in the dramatic moments. When the talented cast is allowed to improvise in group scenes, the movie is fun. But that happens far too infrequently to recommend.

Friends with Kids was released on Blu-ray and DVD on July 17, 2012
Photo credit: Lionsgate

Synopsis:
Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph and Jon Hamm star alongside Jennifer Westfeldt and Adam Scott in is a daring and hilarious ensemble comedy about a close-knit circle of friends whose lives change once they have kids. The last two singles in the group (Westfeldt and Scott) observe the effect that kids have had on their friends’ relationships and wonder if there’s a better way to make it work. When they decide to have a child together - and date other people, their unconventional ‘experiment’ leads everyone in the group to question the nature of friendship, family and, above all, true love. Also starring Chris O’Dowd, Megan Fox and Edward Burns, Friends With Kids delivers the laughs and the heart from beginning to end!

Click here to buy “Friends with Kids”

Special Features:
o Audio Commentary With Jennifer Westfeldt, Jon Hamm and William Rexer
o Making Friends With Kids
o Fun With Actors And Kids (Ad-Libs and Bloopers)
o MJ Rocks At Video Games With Optional Commentary
o Scene 43: Anatomy of a Gag With Optional Commentary
o Deleted Scenes With Optional Commentary

By BRIAN TALLERICO Content Director HollywoodChicago.com [email protected]