Review of The Kids Are All Right

This is the exceptionally rare dramedy that completely satisfies on both dramatic and comedic levels without compromising either aspect. If you've read or seen anything to do with this film you will observe that the Kids Are All Right tackles some socially and, in today's world, politically sensitive material; it does so with absolute grace. The film is never overly-P.C. nor simplistic and irreverent in its treatment of its situations and characters. Rather it assumes a matter-of-fact position depicting reality as reality, (Bold, I know) where a long-term lesbian couple happens to center the story. Director Cholodenko takes a hard-line toward realism at every chance, with a pitch-perfect ear for dialogue, and an uncanny instinct for displaying authentic, recognizable humanity at all turns. Just the right touch of subversive satire is thrown in to keep this film from delving too deep into melodrama, and this highly talented cast delivers top-notch performances all the way through. With a script this smart, this film was almost bound to be good, but the likes of Bening, Moore, and Rufulo all clocking in at their best elevate this film to GREAT status. Fine, emotionally charged and mature performances from the teenagers go a long way in this film too, and given what this movie sets out to achieve I really can't point toward anything that demanded improvement. It handles relationships and life-stages in a way that will force audiences to recognize pieces of themselves somewhere or another, without ever implying an oppressive directoral attitude toward its subject. Charcters are left to work out their hang-ups, insecurities, and short-comings under their own steam, more or less moving toward a bittersweet place of alrightness. And it's rarely felt this good.