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Annette Bening, Julianne Moore, Mark Ruffalo, Mia Wasikowska, Josh Hutcherson ... see more see more... , Yaya DaCosta , Kunal Sharma , Eddie Hassell , Zosia Mamet , Joaquin Garrido , Rebecca Lawrence , Lisa Eisner , Eric Eisner , Sasha Spielberg , James MacDonald , Margo Victor

The son of a same-sex couple seeks out the sperm donor who made his birth possible in this comedy from writer/director Lisa Cholodenko. The committed parents of two teenage children, Nic (Annette Beni... read more read more...ng) and Jules (Julianne Moore), are about to send their daughter, Joni (Mia Wasikowska), off to college when her younger brother, Laser (Josh Hutcherson), asks for her help in tracking down his biological father. Reluctantly inquiring with the sperm bank, Joni leaves her number so the office can pass it along to Laser's father. Enthusiastic at the thought of meeting his long lost offspring, Paul (Mark Ruffalo) musters the courage to reach out, and the family tree grows a new branch. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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72% liked it

55,211 ratings

Critics

93% liked it

205 critics

R, 1 hr. 44 min.

Directed by: Lisa Cholodenko

Release Date: July 9, 2010

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DVD Release Date: November 16, 2010

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Flixster Reviews (4,947)

  • 5oclockcoffee
    May 11, 2012
    5oclockcoffee
    What to say about The Kids Are All Right?
    Some good moments, but couldn't see any sophistication or humour. It's a high concept movie wich only difference is to bring a lesbian couple as the apparently perfect family: the father-provider (Nic), who works hard and always get the... read more bad part (the boring parent), the free spirit, lovely but bored housewife (Jules), the beautiful and nice kids. It's interesting how the "bio-dad" figure is brought to the story and all its consequences, but it could've been better explored and not fall into common sense.

    All the structure family is about to ruin with Paul. He's a cool guy and is doing "his" role quite well being present and giving confidence to both Laser and Joni. In any moment they wonder what all that means, except for Nic. They only see themselves as a (close) family again when Paul fucks up. And when that happens, all the fault is put over him. Joni says she just wished that he could've been better. Wouldn't it be more sensate and logical to expect that Jules, her mother, could've been better and not him? Jules has all excuses (marriage is hard, she didn't feel appreciate) and in the end is nothing but the common "it's all men's fault" (easy sex, immaturity, the family destroyer).

    Paul basically says Jules she's talented and agrees with all she does and that is enough to make her feel appreciated. Ok, it can happen, but we could understand it if it was with a woman. Lesbians don't have such fantasies. Bisexual women do. Is human sexuality complicated? Oh, please! Not to mention the typical (and tiresome) "male-wild" sex scenes.



  • blkbomb
    January 21, 2012
    blkbomb
    Paul: Just making an observation. 
    Nic: Yeah? Well I need your observations like I need a dick in my ass! 

    "Nic and Jules had the perfect family, until they met the man who made it all possible."

    My favorite type of humor is awkward humor and this is awkward humor at its finest... read more. The first call where the kid is talking to the sperm father is perfect. Throughout the film, the awkwardness stays at a high level. The best thing about how the humor is approached is that they don't try to hard to make us laugh. They know that this situation is funny in itself and they should just let it play out and see what happens. If they had tried too hard, it just wouldn't have been the great movie it is. 

    Two kids have been raised by lesbian parents. They get curious as to the whereabouts of their sperm donor father and end up tracking him down. They meet him in secret, but once their mothers learn of it, they bring him into the family. He couldn't be happier to be spending time with his two "children." Events lead to places where they shouldn't go and things with the father and the family don't end on the highest note. 

    The acting is phenomenal in The Kids Are All Right. Julianne Moore and Annette Benning play the lesbian couple and give terrific performances. Mark Ruffalo plays the father and he gives his usual subtle and low energy performance. The awkwardness that comes from these three characters is priceless. Their first meeting is my favorite scene of the whole film and really implements everything that is weird about their new found relationship.

    In the end it turns out to be a pretty touching drama, to go along with all the laughs. Now that I've seen it more than once, I don't like it as much as the first time. The first time around I would have given it five stars, but now I'm a little more reserved in my praise for it. I still think it's one terrific movie and infinitely better than the standard gay family dramas.
  • Saxia
    November 5, 2011
    Saxia
    I loved it. It has a good pace, no needless parts and well balanced characters. The accent was on the right things, not on the fact that they're a lesbian couple. I liked how it was funny without being over the top.
    It's a movie about family, growing up and growing apart, but in... read more the end knowing what's important and sticking together.
  • clintervin
    September 16, 2011
    clintervin
    I don't get the hype about this movie; it certainly makes a good point but is only mediocre, and I think, poorly written. "Kids" promotes a worthwhile message: Lesbian/Gay couples and families have the same arguments, insecurities, and problems as straight ones. Here's another le... read moresson: Don't go looking for the long lost "sperm donor," you'll always be disappointed in the end. It opens a proverbial can of worms better left unopened. If you have a loving family, that's enough, leave it alone.

    None of the adult characters are sympathetic, and the teenagers only mildly so. I'm also offended by the choice of Mark Ruffalo (doofus) representing the male of the species. Among other things, he represents the organic/green faction, and I loved it when Annette Benning's character (Nic) lashes out at those kooks.

    This film violates its own internal logic, cheapening the overall effect. Julianne Moore's character (Jules) states that she doesn't like lesbian porn because it is acted by straight women and thus doesn't ring true. However, that's exactly how this movie is constructed. I agree with the critic who points out that this film says one thing and shows another. Also, Moore hops from Benning's bed to Ruffalo's. Is that consistent or simply a melodramatic device? Everyone's too proud of how unorthodox they are. All in all, the movie has heart but too many flaws to be considered award-worthy.
  • paulsandberg
    August 8, 2011
    paulsandberg
    Claiming to be very "adult and mature", the film manages to yank your chain, being far too precious and surprisingly conventional for it's own good.

    It seems that the message is that marriage is hard - and to that extent the film does an adequate job of conveying a certain poi... read morent in a relationship where it's all comfy and old hat, yet you start doing things by habit and rote instead of actually seeing or hearing what your partner has to say. This could be powerful stuff, but here comes off very ham fisted and over the top, to the point of borderline melodrama.

    Add to this that the film has a gimmick, which for better or worse should be the focal point of the film instead of derailing it. The couple in question is a pair of lesbians, nicely portrayed by Annette Bening (dikey short hair and all) and Julianne Moore (at her 60's free spirit best). One could suppose that the message here is that lesbians are just like other people - their relationship has the same trials and tribulations, etc., but... the film steps way out of bounds in an effort to show that normalcy.

    The film does a disservice by characterizing Bening as the stable, bring home the bacon, male part of the relationship - while Moore is the ditzy, artistic female - unable to focus on any one thing for an extended period, and is thus a failure at all her endeavors. The film then further missteps by having Moore, who is feeling taken for granted and not given the continued "nurturing" she apparently needs, hop into the sack with a male who shows her attention. WFT!!!! Talk about sending mixed messages!

    Around this there is a sincere story (though a bit saccerine) about the couple's two children seeking their sperm donor "father". It all wraps up with a nice bow - as the film reminds us "the kids are all right". They may well be, but I couldn't help but feel that this is the type of film where you could see all the gears turning - and yet the message, at least in my mind, ended up not being what I believe the script intended - far from being a real look at a lesbian couple, I felt this contrived and almost surreal. As far as a tome to feminism - nope, missed the boat there as well - especially when showing Moore's weak willed fall for the first person that showed her any attention.

    Too smooth in places, and yet a convoluted mess of hackneyed cliche in others, I felt like I was being preached at, yet couldn't help but think that this was intended as some grand gesture, but ended up signifying nothing at all.
  • itsjustme2004
    August 7, 2011
    itsjustme2004
    I was expecting to like this movie alot more than I did. The characters were all ultimately likable, and I thought the ride along the way was generally pretty entertaining. I think my main problem was that this movie didn't end up where I thought it was taking us. AND, I have to ... read moreadmit..I am not a Julianne Moore fan. BUT, the movie was well done.
  • SajinPA
    August 5, 2011
    SajinPA
    This part comedy- part drama flick, revolving around the domestic tensions in a lesbian household, can pass as a decently enjoyable one-time-watch. But it's definitely not anywhere nearly worth the rave reviews it got; just another Indie movie that pretends to have more cards up... read more its sleeve than it actually has.
  • romy861
    July 2, 2011
    romy861
    Expected to like this more than I did - I guess because it had such good reviews. It is actually quite a good movie and the cast are perfect, but it's a little slower than I would have thought and didn't quite hold my attention all the way through,
    Little things about it bothere... read mored me too - it was nice how they portrayed the lesbian couple, but I didn't get the whole watching male porn thing and then the discretion on the part of one of the couple. That to me undermined their relationship a little.
    Aside from that, nicely done, slow but well made film with believable cast, and a storyline that hasn't been done to death. Worth a look!
  • murphmann93
    June 24, 2011
    murphmann93
    Not as good as I expected and the story run out of places to go. It was 'all right' and only funny at times.
  • DreamExtractor
    June 16, 2011
    DreamExtractor
    This movie was good, but too weird and intense for me to watch again. The plot is great, it had interesting moments and points that we can relate in life. The characters are some of the biggest assholes you will ever meet and you will probabaly hate them, but the acting makes i... read moret so much more believable. It shouldn't be called a comedy, because its not that funny. Overall, I cant see how it got a Best Picture nomination, but I can see the actor nominations and plot nomination.

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Critic Reviews

Eric D. Snider
July 29, 2010
Eric D. Snider, Film.com

Sophisticated and funny, but once you get past the unusual premise and the fact that the main couple is realistically portrayed, there's nothing surprising about it. Full Review

Joe Baltake
July 28, 2010
Joe Baltake, Passionate Moviegoer

'The Kids Are All Right': Alt Sitcom Remains Smart Despite Conventional turn Full Review

Tom Long
July 23, 2010
Tom Long, Detroit News

Definitions of family, love and friendship all get put to the test with wit and warmth in The Kids Are All Right, one of the year's most honest and endearing films. Full Review

Carrie Rickey
July 22, 2010
Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer

Here are five gifted actors at the top of their games as five characters in search of what makes a family. Full Review

Peter Rainer
July 16, 2010
Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor

Cholodenko understands that the family, any family, remains a primal source for drama that is both mirthful and maddening. Full Review

Lisa Kennedy
July 16, 2010
Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post

Cholodenko and cowriter Stuart Blumberg have crafted a loving work about family that will resonate as true for those who find their experience reflected on the big screen and will be revelatory to oth... Full Review

Chris Vognar
July 16, 2010
Chris Vognar, Dallas Morning News

A comedy of modern manners with the texture of a great short story. Full Review

Ann Hornaday
July 16, 2010
Ann Hornaday, Washington Post

Just about everyone who has been a parent, child or partner will find resonance in its bittersweet depiction of the joys and trials of lifelong intimacy. Full Review

James Rocchi
July 15, 2010
James Rocchi, MSN Movies

Cholodenko's film stands as one of the best American films of the year precisely because it's willing to look at what love truly gives, and what it truly takes. Full Review

Ty Burr
July 15, 2010
Ty Burr, Boston Globe

Movies like The Kids Are All Right -- beautifully written, impeccably played, funny and randy and true -- don't come along very often. Full Review

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Facts

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    • Laser: Did you guys think I was gay?
    • Jules: [on lesbian pornography] ...usually they just hire two women to pretend, and the inauthenticity is just unbearable.
    • Jules: I wish you were gay, you'd be much more sensitive.
    • Paul: It's hard enough to open your heart in this world. Don't make it harder.
    • Jules: ...marriage is hard... Just two people slogging through the shit, year after year, getting older, changing. It's a fucking marathon, okay? So, sometimes, you know, you're together for so long, that you just... You stop seeing the other person. You just see weird projections of your own junk. Instead of talking to each other, you go off the rails and act grubby and make stupid choices... You know if I read more Russian novels, then...
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The Kids Are All Right Trivia

  • in Superbad who said this quote Seth, Seth, Seth. Listen up, ass-face: every day, hundreds of kids go into the liquor store with fake IDs, and every single one says they're 21. Pssh, how many 21 year olds do you think there are in this town? It's called fucking strategy, all right?   Answer »
  • What singer did Nic and Jules name their daughter after in The Kids are All Right?   Answer »
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