Review of The Kids Are All Right (2010) by Alex M — 19 Dec 2012

The strengths of THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT are its character development, the universality of the premise, and its relevant social commentary. Within the first few pages, we are hooked almost instantaneously. When Joni agrees to reach out to her sperm donor, conflict is established immediately, leaving the reader to wonder what will happen next.

The characters are distinct and relatable. Paulâ(TM)s character is used tactfully to reveal each characterâ(TM)s specific idiosyncrasies and desiresâ"Laser yearns to have a father figure, Joni wants to be regarded as an adult, Nic wants a perfect family, and Jules desires to feel loved by Nic. The charactersâ(TM) individual flaws humanize them, while their desires mirror the desires we all have.

The storyline is clear and focused. While each character has its own distinct arcs, the screenplay never strays away from the core premise of the storyâ"how they must come back together as a unit after Paulâ(TM)s intrusion. The sincere humor laced throughout prevents the drama from getting overly insipid, and leaves the reader consistently engaged.

The screenplay is fresh and innovative. While films such as American Beauty, Little Miss Sunshine, and Juno have used sincere humor and the elements of a family drama to illustrate conflict within the family dynamic, The Kids Are All Right takes place within the context of a lesbian family. Simultaneously, it is relatable to mainstream audiences as it touches upon the universality of a family having to change as their children reach young adulthood.

The film would primarily appeal to a young teenage audience under 25-years-old and an audience over 35. Parents and couples contemplating having a family will relate to the story strongly. Due to the particularly strong male and female characters, both gender groups will find the film relatable on some level.