The Kids are All Right

Julianne Moore and Annette Benning play a couple who both have children from the same sperm donor. When the oldest of the children, Mia Wachowski (Alice in Wonderland) turns 18, she follows  her younger brother's (Josh Hutcherson) request to contact their biological father, Mark Ruffalo, who then proceeds to form relationships with different members of the family.

This low-key indie drama/comedy works well by not making too much out of the unusualness of the family, but rather from nicely observed moments that they share in common with most families - the tensions between parents, the desire of children for their independance, etc... The performances are good and understated - Ruffalo does well to convey the confusion of his character and the gradual realisation that he does want a family. It is somewhat unfortunate that his character arc gets a bit lost at the end, but ultimately he is the interloper in the central focus which is on the relationship between Moore and Benning, who make a very convincing couple.

Some moments are funny, some uncomfortable and some moving. There is the odd moment that drags a wee bit, but generally it is a engaging look at family life.

Overall - 7/10 A gentle, low-key but acutely observed look at family life