The Kids Are All Right

Every year it seems there is one independent film that become a huge success over the American summer. This year it was this film.

I find it interesting that when homosexuals are portrayed in film and on TV that it is usually gay men. We do not get to see many lesbians. So it was nicely refreshing to see a lesbian couple portrayed in this film. I think it is because of the stereotype that lesbians are big, tough and butch so come across as very threatening, where are gay men are lighter and more fun loving and so less threatening. But then again considering the story I don't think it could have been done with gay men. There is also the issue of kids who are either adopted or born through artificial insemination trying to find their birth parent(s). Because of the drama involved films only portray the stories where kids go looking for their parent(s), we don't see kids who don't look for their birth parent(s). Does that ever happen? Which begs the question, why do parents keep the information from their kids? And why are they surprised when the kids decide to do it? This is especially true when there are gay parents involved as with heterosexual couples you can usually keep it it a secret better. This is a wonderfully told modern story that proves a gay parent is just as warm and loving as a heterosexual one. They have problems just like all families but ultimately there is a great deal of love there. It feels like a very real relationship. The film is very funny as well and the humour comes from truth.

It is kind of disappointing when actresses like Annette Benning have children. It means they cut back on their acting to look after their kids and we don't seem them on screen as much. This film is one such reason that we should see more of her. While she normally plays uptight women, she does it so well that we don't mind. To counter point that we get the more free spirited Julianne Moore. There were many times I wondered how these opposites got together. But they seem to love each other and portray that relationship really well. Mark Ruffalo is excellent as always but does play a similar character as he usually does. We have seen Josh Hutcherson grow up on screen and while he has mostly been doing kids films it is nice to see him do something more mature. Mia Wasikowska burst onto the big time in 'Alice In Wonderland' and it is good to see her do a film where she gets a chance to act and not react to imaginary characters.

A very realistic film about the perfect example of the modern family. Funny as well as touching and a good reason to let gays marry.