Julianne Moore's "Kids" Are Better Than "Alright"!

If you’re anything like me, a movie theater is the last place you want to be in the summer time.  Not that I don’t love a break from hot weather.  But animation, aliens, and immaterial sequels are not my idea of a good time.  Fortunately, Julianne Moore (ex-AS THE WORLD TURNS) and the profoundly talented cast of The Kids Are All Right are providing a respite for adults who enjoy intelligent drama and engaging exposés on the human condition.

Jules (Moore) and Nic (Annette Bening) are a long-term partnered couple raising two teenage kids the best they can in Southern California.   Things are hardly going smoothly when their 15-year-old son (Josh Hutcherson) decides to seek out the sperm donor (Mark Ruffalo) who fathered both himself and his 18-year-old sister (Mia Wasikowska).  What follows from this decision is a series of uncomfortable meetings, tense conflicts, and unexpected alliances.  All members of this family union are challenged in ways that are hilarious and painful, frequently both at the same time.

Fans of daytime have known of Julianne Moore’s diverse talents since her Emmy winning dual role as Frannie and Sabrina on AS THE WORLD TURNS (1985-1988).  The mainstream finally took notice of her skills after her Academy Award nominated performance in Boogie Nights (1997).  What makes Moore a continued force to be reckoned with is how she so completely and fearlessly throws herself into physically and emotionally naked roles.  It takes strength and resilience to act with such dignified vulnerability, and Moore is able to walk the fine line of having you love Jules even when she makes cringe-worthy choices. 

What appears to be an “alternative” family structure is revealed as quite “ordinary.”  Couples fight, kids misbehave, people say and do things to hurt one another.  The common theme underlying the film is spoken toward the end by Jules who proclaims, “Marriage is hard.”  Rarely has an American film examined this premise with such objective raw honesty.  If you decide to see one film this summer, I strongly encourage you to make this the one.

S.A.S.S. (Short Attention Soap Summary)

WHAT IS IT:  The Kids Are All Right, starring Julianne Moore, Annette Bening, and Mark Ruffalo.   The film also features Yaya Dacosta (ex-Cassandra on ALL MY CHILDREN).

WHY SOAP FANS WILL LOVE IT:   It is a compelling family drama with cliffhangers that leave you hanging at the end of every scene and will have you on the edge of your seat.  NOTE: Empty your bladder first because you do NOT want to miss one minute!

BOTTOM LINE: This film is perfect for anyone who enjoyed Moore’s work on AS THE WORLD TURNS, or the complex emotional honesty featured during the “Otalia” story on GUIDING LIGHT.  Also recommended for anyone interested in lesbian/gay families, or any parent who has ever struggled with raising a teenager. 

VERDICT:  Don’t miss these “Kids” this summer!  I guarantee you'll be getting a leg up on Oscar season.

Damon L. Jacobs is a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist seeing individuals and couples in New York City at Mental Health Counseling & Marriage And Family Therapy Of New York.   He is also the author of "Absolutely Should-less: The Secret to Living the Stress-Free Life You Deserve"