Showing posts with label The Kids Are Alright. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Kids Are Alright. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Oscar Noms 2010

My picks in italics, for the ones I care about...  

Actor in a Leading Role

  • Javier Bardem in “Biutiful”
  • Jeff Bridges in “True Grit”
  • Jesse Eisenberg in “The Social Network”
  • Colin Firth in “The King's Speech”
  • James Franco in “127 Hours”

Actor in a Supporting Role

  • Christian Bale in “The Fighter”
  • John Hawkes in “Winter's Bone”
  • Jeremy Renner in “The Town”
  • Mark Ruffalo in “The Kids Are All Right”
  • Geoffrey Rush in “The King's Speech”

Actress in a Leading Role

  • Annette Bening in “The Kids Are All Right”*
  • Nicole Kidman in “Rabbit Hole”
  • Jennifer Lawrence in “Winter's Bone”
  • Natalie Portman in “Black Swan”*
  • Michelle Williams in “Blue Valentine”
  • *I can't decide! Totally could see it being Natalie, but could also see push-back after the GGs for Annette. If money were on the line, I'd go with the former. 

Actress in a Supporting Role

  • Amy Adams in “The Fighter”
  • Helena Bonham Carter in “The King's Speech”
  • Melissa Leo in “The Fighter”
  • Hailee Steinfeld in “True Grit”
  • Jacki Weaver in “Animal Kingdom”

Animated Feature Film

  • “How to Train Your Dragon” Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois
  • “The Illusionist” Sylvain Chomet
  • “Toy Story 3” Lee Unkrich

Art Direction

  • “Alice in Wonderland”
    Production Design: Robert Stromberg; Set Decoration: Karen O'Hara
  • “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1”
    Production Design: Stuart Craig; Set Decoration: Stephenie McMillan
  • “Inception”
    Production Design: Guy Hendrix Dyas; Set Decoration: Larry Dias and Doug Mowat
  • “The King's Speech”
    Production Design: Eve Stewart; Set Decoration: Judy Farr
  • “True Grit”
    Production Design: Jess Gonchor; Set Decoration: Nancy Haigh

Cinematography

  • “Black Swan” Matthew Libatique
  • “Inception” Wally Pfister
  • “The King's Speech” Danny Cohen
  • “The Social Network” Jeff Cronenweth
  • “True Grit” Roger Deakins

Costume Design

  • “Alice in Wonderland” Colleen Atwood
  • “I Am Love” Antonella Cannarozzi
  • “The King's Speech” Jenny Beavan
  • “The Tempest” Sandy Powell
  • “True Grit” Mary Zophres

Directing

  • “Black Swan” Darren Aronofsky
  • “The Fighter” David O. Russell
  • “The King's Speech” Tom Hooper
  • “The Social Network” David Fincher
  • “True Grit” Joel Coen and Ethan Coen

Documentary (Feature)

  • “Exit through the Gift Shop” Banksy and Jaimie D'Cruz
  • “Gasland” Josh Fox and Trish Adlesic
  • “Inside Job” Charles Ferguson and Audrey Marrs
  • “Restrepo” Tim Hetherington and Sebastian Junger
  • “Waste Land” Lucy Walker and Angus Aynsley

Documentary (Short Subject)

  • “Killing in the Name” Nominees to be determined
  • “Poster Girl” Nominees to be determined
  • “Strangers No More” Karen Goodman and Kirk Simon
  • “Sun Come Up” Jennifer Redfearn and Tim Metzger
  • “The Warriors of Qiugang” Ruby Yang and Thomas Lennon

Film Editing

  • “Black Swan” Andrew Weisblum
  • “The Fighter” Pamela Martin
  • “The King's Speech” Tariq Anwar
  • “127 Hours” Jon Harris
  • “The Social Network” Angus Wall and Kirk Baxter

Foreign Language Film

  • “Biutiful” Mexico
  • “Dogtooth” Greece
  • “In a Better World” Denmark
  • “Incendies” Canada
  • “Outside the Law (Hors-la-loi)” Algeria

Makeup

  • “Barney's Version” Adrien Morot
  • “The Way Back” Edouard F. Henriques, Gregory Funk and Yolanda Toussieng
  • “The Wolfman” Rick Baker and Dave Elsey

Music (Original Score)

  • “How to Train Your Dragon” John Powell
  • “Inception” Hans Zimmer
  • “The King's Speech” Alexandre Desplat
  • “127 Hours” A.R. Rahman
  • “The Social Network” Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross

Music (Original Song)

  • “Coming Home” from “Country Strong” Music and Lyric by Tom Douglas, Troy Verges and Hillary Lindsey
  • “I See the Light” from “Tangled” Music by Alan Menken Lyric by Glenn Slater
  • “If I Rise” from “127 Hours” Music by A.R. Rahman Lyric by Dido and Rollo Armstrong
  • “We Belong Together” from “Toy Story 3" Music and Lyric by Randy Newman

Best Picture

  • “Black Swan” Mike Medavoy, Brian Oliver and Scott Franklin, Producers
  • “The Fighter” David Hoberman, Todd Lieberman and Mark Wahlberg, Producers
  • “Inception” Emma Thomas and Christopher Nolan, Producers
  • “The Kids Are All Right” Gary Gilbert, Jeffrey Levy-Hinte and Celine Rattray, Producers
  • “The King's Speech” Iain Canning, Emile Sherman and Gareth Unwin, Producers
  • “127 Hours” Christian Colson, Danny Boyle and John Smithson, Producers
  • “The Social Network” Scott Rudin, Dana Brunetti, Michael De Luca and Ceán Chaffin, Producers
  • “Toy Story 3” Darla K. Anderson, Producer
  • “True Grit” Scott Rudin, Ethan Coen and Joel Coen, Producers
  • “Winter's Bone" Anne Rosellini and Alix Madigan-Yorkin, Producers

Short Film (Animated)

  • “Day & Night” Teddy Newton
  • “The Gruffalo” Jakob Schuh and Max Lang
  • “Let's Pollute” Geefwee Boedoe
  • “The Lost Thing” Shaun Tan and Andrew Ruhemann
  • “Madagascar, carnet de voyage (Madagascar, a Journey Diary)” Bastien Dubois

Short Film (Live Action)

  • “The Confession” Tanel Toom
  • “The Crush” Michael Creagh
  • “God of Love” Luke Matheny
  • “Na Wewe” Ivan Goldschmidt
  • “Wish 143” Ian Barnes and Samantha Waite

Sound Editing

  • “Inception” Richard King
  • “Toy Story 3” Tom Myers and Michael Silvers
  • “Tron: Legacy” Gwendolyn Yates Whittle and Addison Teague
  • “True Grit” Skip Lievsay and Craig Berkey
  • “Unstoppable” Mark P. Stoeckinger

Sound Mixing

  • “Inception” Lora Hirschberg, Gary A. Rizzo and Ed Novick
  • “The King's Speech” Paul Hamblin, Martin Jensen and John Midgley
  • “Salt” Jeffrey J. Haboush, Greg P. Russell, Scott Millan and William Sarokin
  • “The Social Network” Ren Klyce, David Parker, Michael Semanick and Mark Weingarten
  • “True Grit” Skip Lievsay, Craig Berkey, Greg Orloff and Peter F. Kurland

Visual Effects

  • “Alice in Wonderland” Ken Ralston, David Schaub, Carey Villegas and Sean Phillips
  • “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1” Tim Burke, John Richardson, Christian Manz and Nicolas Aithadi
  • “Hereafter” Michael Owens, Bryan Grill, Stephan Trojanski and Joe Farrell
  • “Inception” Paul Franklin, Chris Corbould, Andrew Lockley and Peter Bebb
  • “Iron Man 2” Janek Sirrs, Ben Snow, Ged Wright and Daniel Sudick

Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

  • “127 Hours” Screenplay by Danny Boyle & Simon Beaufoy
  • “The Social Network” Screenplay by Aaron Sorkin
  • “Toy Story 3” Screenplay by Michael Arndt; Story by John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton and Lee Unkrich
  • “True Grit” Written for the screen by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen
  • “Winter's Bone” Adapted for the screen by Debra Granik & Anne Rosellini

Writing (Original Screenplay)

  • “Another Year” Written by Mike Leigh
  • “The Fighter” Screenplay by Scott Silver and Paul Tamasy & Eric Johnson;
    Story by Keith Dorrington & Paul Tamasy & Eric Johnson
  • “Inception” Written by Christopher Nolan
  • “The Kids Are All Right” Written by Lisa Cholodenko & Stuart Blumberg
  • “The King's Speech” Screenplay by David Seidler*
  • *This is my second pick.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Golden Globes 2010

Here we go again, folks, with a live blog of this year's GGs from PopBopShop Girl's living room -- although, let's be honest, I'm probably sitting with the only person who stands a chance of reading this live... Regardless, I'll try to refresh every 15 minutes or so!

Red Carpet
- Tuning in to the E! Network's red carpet, immediately Carrie Underwood scores a run with her shiny Badgley Mischka strapless number.  She shoots the shit with Ryan Seacrest, and I wonder if she regrets that she is forced to be nice to him given their shared history on Idol.  Hmm.
- Helena Bonham Carter is wearing one red shoe and one green shoe, and has a mop of hair piled on her head.  She actually looks like her Harry Potter character, Bellatrix Lestrange. Given how refined her nominated King's Speech character was, I'm surprised.

- Nicole Kidman is pooching!!  From the couch: "Given that she's a skeleton, that's not exactly hard."  We discuss if she may be preggers... hmm.  Ugh I forgot their child is named Sunday.
- Justin Bieber (The Biebs) gets to go to the Golden Globes and I don't?! He's presenting?! From the couch: "He got a haircut."  He sounds like a child.  Oh wait, he is.
- Jane Krakowski beats Natalie Portman for "Best Pregnant Person Dress."  :::sigh::: It's another Badgley Mischka! Wow! Perhaps I have a fav designer and didn't even know it!
- Jane Lynch!
- Julianne Moore in a one sleeve, yet puffed one sleeve, FUSCIA number. She quickly makes Molly's Worst Dressed list. Oy.

- Sofia Vergara in red Vera Wang.  Wowza. Corset lacing up the back, boobs and pleats in front. Atta girl.  It helps you, too, that you keep pronouncing it "Wong."  However, I do not believe she only works out 2 times a week and the rest of it is her EasyTone Reeboks.  Puhlease.

- Catherine Zeta-Jones in a gorgeous emerald strapless Monique Lhullier.  Great choice.  Keepin' it real, Michael Douglass makes sure to ask about the Jets/Pats score in between giving updates on his cancer.  (The game is going horribly for the Pats, but his cancer is going well.)
- ANGELINA JOLIE IS NOT WEARING BLACK! Green Versace. Very retro. Very good choice.
- Another green gown on Miss Mila Kunis! Seems to be the color of the season. Aaaand of course they ask her about the sex scene.
- Sandra Bullock -- from the couch: "Glenda the Good Witch."  Too true.
- Robert Downey, Jr., usually so dapper, looks scruffy.  And for the last time, we don't care about your not famous wife.
- Kelly Osbourne is on the glam cam crew.  Unclear as to why this is a development this year.  Being skinny does not make you fashionable. PS.
- Christina Aguilera looks (a) naked and (b) like her boobies are about to make a cameo.
- Claire Danes, of awful Latisse commercial fame, is wearing hot pink and looks quite pretty!
- I want to be friends with Jon Hamm and Jennifer Westfeldt!  They look so fun!
- Halle Berry is NAKED.  Hoochie! Announces she is sweating, and that's her excuse for wearing no clothing.  NO.  However, she has my haircut, so she wins some points for that.
- From the couch: "Literally, Michelle Williams' dress looks like something I made in kindergarten. Hideous."
- J-Lo, wearing a white poncho. From the couch: "She looks like she's going to her Quinceñera." When talking to Seacrest! Out! she says, about being nervous about getting stuff on her dress, "Mark says 'Don't touch yourself!'"  $10 that makes it into quotes of the week, totally out of context. 
- Anne Hathaway, despite her dinner-plate-sized sequins on her Armani, looks pretty.
- Mandy Moore looks so pretty in a sapphire one shoulder mermaid number! She looks great, but I'd put her hair up to show her neckline off.

- Amy Adams looks lovely in navy.
- Thank the good sweet lord for people like Christina Hendrix, (who covered up her ta-tas, to stunning effect) who have HIPS! Love it.
- Tilda Swinton - Why are you such a hot mess?!  From the couch: "Went into some guy's closet, pulled out a men's dress shirt, and then paired it with her comforter."

And with that, off we go to THE SHOW!
- The host, Ricky Gervais.  I think his suit is checkered.  Maybe he'll drink at the podium again this year! A Charlie Sheen crack to get it started! "Seems like everything this year was 3-D, except the characters in The Tourist." Other targets: Cher, things not nominated, Scientology, Hugh Hefner and his penis, and Mel Gibson.  Off to a good start! Lots of "ohhhhhhhhhs!" from the couch.
- Scarlett Johansson, in a matronly horror, presents Best Supporting Actor in a Drama to Christian Bale for The Fighter.  Horrid hair, but I assume it's for a role.  Forgiven. Really nice comment to Mark Wahlberg. Dedicates it to his daughter! So cute.
- PS why is Geoffrey Rush wearing a hat and have a bald head?! Is he sick!?  :(
- LL Cool J and Julie Bowen present Best Actress in a TV Series Drama to Katie Sagal for "Sons of Anarchy."  Coyly, she says "I'm shocked! ... But I'm prepared."  Cute.
- Julianne Moore and Kevin Spacey introduce Miss Golden Globe, Gia Montegna, daughter of Joe.  They present Best Mini-series or Television Series to "Carlos."  Surprise! Definitely thought it would go to "Temple Grandin." On the plus side, I don't care about this speech, so I can eat the delicious food Molly has prepared.  From the couch: "I would rather he speak in Spanish."
- Bruce Willis, or as Gervais dubs him, "Ashton Kutcher's Dad," presents the clip for Red, nominated for Best Musical or Comedy.
- Leighton Meister and Garrett Hedlund present Best Actor in a TV Musical or Comedy to Chris Colfer for "Glee!!!!"  The couch screams with excitement! Everyone in the awards room looks THRILLED for him, as well they should.  What a cutie! "I think I just dropped my heart between Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore, so if anyone sees it, please give that back to me."
- Michelle Pfeifer, in sheer purple, presents the clip for Alice in Wonderland, nominated for Best Musical or Comedy. 
- Eva Longoria almost trips on her way onstage - from the couch, "As if she hasn't had a bad enough year already." She introduces the President of the Hollywood Foreign Press. Short and sweet speech, just how I like it.
- Kevin Bacon and Milla Jovovich present Best Actor in a TV Series Drama to Steve Buschemi for "Boardwalk Empire." Thanks his 4-year-old nephew who called him and left a message, saying "Uncle Steve, wish me luck!" So cute!
- They go on to present Best TV Series - Drama to Boardwalk Empire. I have heard this show is great! Funny speech, including: "Holy effin' crap!" and "To my family back in Brooklyn: I can't believe I'm sitting at a table with Al Pacino, either!"  For the record, I love Kelly MacDonald - I hope her career leads to more awards.
- Andrew Garfield -- what the what?! He's British!! -- introduces the clip for The Social Network.
- Alec Baldwin and JLo present Best Original Song from a Motion Picture to "You Haven't Seen the Last of Me" from Burlesque. Cher isn't there, which is disappointing. The speech is a mess of free association, despite her written notes.  From the couch: "She looks like Chris Jenner... meets Liza."
- They go on to present Best Original Score to Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross for The Social Network.
- Hailee Steinfeld and The Bieb present Best Animated Feature Film to Toy Story 3.  No surprise there, but wish it went to Despicable Me. 
- Aaaaaand Gervais is drinking. He's lost his jacket. I love the GGs.
- Robert Downey, Jr.: "Aside from the fact that [Ricky Gervais has] been hugely meanspirited with mildly sinister undertones, I'd say the vibe of the show is pretty good!" Presents Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy, saying, "I'd give it to all five of you at once.  (The award.)" to Annette Bening for The Kids Are All Right. Well, obvi.
- Annette gives a slightly robotic speech. :::sigh:::
- Sylvester Stallone, with a dapper pocket square presents the clip for The Fighter.
- Goeffrey Rush and Tilda Swinton present Best Actor in a Mini Series or TV Movie to Al Pacino for "You Don't Know Jack." Noticed: They don't play the "wrap it up" music for Pacino.
- They present Best Actress in a Mini Series or TV Movie to Claire Danes for "Temple Grandin."  The real Temple is there! So sweet! "I have to thank you on behalf of the literally millions of lives who have been dignified... by you."
- Zac Efron introduces the clip for The Kids Are All Right. 
- The fake hate-fest between Gervais and Steve Carrell goes on, to hilarious effect.
- Tina Fey and Steve Carrell present Best Screenplay to Aaron Sorkin for The Social Network.
- Chris Evans and Chris Hemsworth present Best Supporting Actress in a TV Musical or Comedy to Jane Lynch for "Glee." She is too funny: "I am nothing if not falsely humble."
- Olivia Wilde (looking like a sparkly princess) and Robert Pattinson present Best Foreign Language Film to In a Better World, from Denmark.  The lady hiked her dress up so high climbing the stairs that we could see her Spanx! Hollywood! They're just like us!
- Helen Mirren introduces the clip for The King's Speech using lots of birthing language. Awkward.
- Vanessa Williams and Blair Underwood present Best Actress in a TV Comedy or Musical to Laura Linney for "The Big C." Aaaaaand the bitch ain't there.  She's very busy and important.
- Jane Fonda, who apparently hasn't been to the GGs in 25 years, introduces the clip for Burlesque. It's unclear as to why she needed to return for that, but she did.
- Kayley Cuoco and Matthew Bomer present Best Actor in a TV Comedy or Musical to Jim Parsons for "Big Bang Theory." From the couch: "He'll be walking to the stage from San Francisco!"  He's totally in the cheap seats.
- Jeremy Irons presents Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture to Melissa Leo for The Fighter.  So deserved.  She looks beautiful!!! As her speech goes on and gets more and more enthusiastic, we consider that she also may be intoxicated.
- Matt Damon presents the Cecil B. DeMille Award to Robert DeNiro. After a montage that gained momentum towards the end and culminates in a resounding standing ovation, DeNiro gives a funny (phew!) speech. He seems like a chill dude, self-depricating, aware, and humorous.
- Megan Fox introduces the clip for The Tourist. 
- Annette Bening presents Best Director - Motion Picture to David Fincher for The Social Network. I pay no attention to his speech.
- Jimmy Falon and January Jones present Best TV Series - Musical or Comedy to "Glee." In the future, they should consider playing a different song each time. Mercedes looks great! From the couch, after their short speech: "They should have had a song prepared!!"
- Alicia Keyes introduces the clip for Black Swan.  From the couch: "Is she still pregnant?" "No, she just wrapped herself up in the red carpet."
- Halle Berry and her Hoo-Ha present Best Actor in a Feature Film - Musical or Comedy to Paul Giamatti for Barney's Version. He mentions that there are free boxes of Godiva chocolates. PB+Jealous. Then he thanks Canada.  He's definitely drunk.
- Joseph Gordon Levitt introduces the clip for Inception. 
- Jeff Bridges presents Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama to Natalie Portman for Black Swan. Don't love her dress. She's humble and gracious yet has a nerdy, nerdy laugh.  Not everyone can be perfect.
- Tom Hanks and Tim Allen present Best Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical to The Kids Are All Right.
- Sandra Bullock, with heavy, dark bangs that she could do without, and a dress that is notttttt so cute, presents Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama to Colin Firth for The King's Speech.  He uses the phrase "surprisingly robust triangle of man-love" in his speech - make of that what you will.  He also calls Geoffrey Rush "my geisha girl."  Why, Mr. Darcy! You funny.
- Michael Douglas, getting a riotous standing O for his apparently better health, presents Best Motion Picture - Drama to The Social Network. Kudos to the accepting producer for making the cast come up on stage - as first-time nominees, maybe they didn't know they could?

Two minutes early, we're done!

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Golden Globe Nominations 2010

The noms are out and Awards Season 2010 has officially begun!  Read on, dear fans, read on:

Best Picture - Drama
Black Swan - My vote goes to this one, admittedly not yet having seen "The Fighter."
The Fighter
Inception
The King's Speech
The Social Network - Given last year's debacle between "Hurt Locker" and "Avatar," I can see them awarding this 'lighter fare' this year.

Best Picture - Musical or Comedy
Alice in Wonderland
Burlesque
The Kids Are Alright - Easy win, in my mind.
Red
The Tourist


Best Actor - Drama
Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network)
Colin Firth (The King's Speech) - My pick. It's still early in Eisenberg and Franco's careers, and Firth deserves the win.
James Franco (127 Hours)
Ryan Gosling (Blue Valentine)
Mark Wahlberg (The Fighter)

Best Actress - Drama
Halle Berry (Frankie and Alice)
Nicole Kidman (Rabbit Hole)
Jennifer Lawrence (Winter's Bone)
Natalie Portman (Black Swan) - OBVIOUS choice, for me. Perhaps Williams or Kidman...
Michelle Williams (Blue Valentine)


Best Actor - Musical or Comedy
Johnny Depp (Alice in Wonderland)
Johnny Depp (The Tourist)
Paul Giamatti (Barney's Vision)
Jake Gyllenhaal (Love and Other Drugs)
Kevin Spacey (Casino Jack)
The only one I saw was Gyllenhaal, and it wasn't award-worthy, in my opinion. This one's an unknown.

Best Actress - Musical or Comedy
Annette Bening (The Kids Are Alright) - Definitely Bening for this category. It might get complicated at the Oscars, without the drama/comedy split.
Anne Hathaway (Love and Other Drugs)
Angelina Jolie (The Tourist)
Julianne Moore (The Kids Are Alright)
Emma Stone (Easy A)

Best Supporting Actor
Christine Bale (The Fighter)
Michael Douglas (Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps)
Andrew Garfield (The Social Network)
Jeremy Renner (The Town)
Geoffrey Rush (The King's Speech)
I would be happy with Rush, Bale, Renner, or Garfield. The only one I'd be annoyed with is Douglas.

Best Supporting Actress
Amy Adams (The Fighter)
Helena Bonham Carter (The King's Speech) - Definitely a strong contender... but I've heard Melissa Leo simply makes 'The Fighter.'
Mila Kunis (Black Swan)
Melissa Leo (The Fighter)
Jackie Weaver (Animal Kingdom)

Best Director
Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan)
David Fincher (The Social Network)
Tom Hooper (The King's Speech)
Christopher Nolan (Inception)
David O. Russell (The Fighter)
Interesting category. Each in their own way created a strong piece of work in its genre. Not sure what the voters will go with.  I'd be happy with either Aronofsky, Fincher, or Nolan. 

Best Animated Feature
Despicable Me - I just loved this. I really did. I'd love to see it win.
How to Train Your Dragon
The Illusionist - 'The Triplets of Belleville' was such a hit that I wouldn't be surprised if this takes the Globe, despite its less mainstream style...
Tangled
Toy Story 3 - And yet the love affair with Pixar continues.

Seems like it's gonna be a good year!

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

The Kids Are All Right

Director: Lisa Cholodenko
Year: 2010
Rating: ***

Seems like this film has been met with either "Love it!" or "Hate it!" responses across the board, yet I actually fall in the middle.

Nic (Annette Bening) and Jules (Julianne Moore) live what seems to be a storied life in the suburbs of LA, mothering their two children, Joni (Mia Wasikowska) and Laser (Josh Hutcherson), fathered by a sperm donor years ago.  Nic is a busy doctor with a bit of a drinking problem, while Jules is getting a landscaping design business off the ground after years of puttering around at various occupations.  In a house full of love, laughter, and seemingly "normal" familial issues, the boat is rocked with the kids decide they'd like to meet their bio-dad.  Paul, played by Mark Ruffalo and the frog who seems to have taken up permanent residence in his throat, is a polarizing player for this previously perfect pair - Nic doesn't like him much, and Jules... well, Jules ends up liking him quite a bit.  The dynamics between all of them make up the meat of this complex story, leaving viewers with mixed emotions and not, necessarily, all right.

Bening and Moore are simply amazing, as award show circuits are sure to reflect.  Each portrays the complicated nature of being half of a partnership, with love, anger, loyalty, the search for self, and exquisitely nuanced moments alone and together.  They each commit to their character's flaws and make them wonderfully real.  They're aided by director Cholodenko's minimalist approach, who chose to go light on the make up with a casual, messy wardrobe and set-dressing style that helps to create the reality of this family's life. 

This movie seems to be stuck between two philosophies, however.  On the one hand, it's "The Lesbian Movie."  On the other, it seems to want to be the "This Could Be Any Family Movie."  That the family is headed by two women is alternately celebrated and downplayed.  Jules' dalliance with Paul seems to undermine the first, while simultaneously highlighting the second, in the fact that infidelity and midlife crisis can be a universal grief, regardless of sexual orientation.  My unsettled feeling throughout and at the close might be credited to this conflicted stance about the message they're trying to send. 

Some scenes are quite funny in both content and delivery by the actors.  When Nic and Jules confront Laser to have "The Talk," it's absolutely hysterical to watch them try to explain, then overexplain, then retract, and ultimately embarrass pretty much everyone in the process. 

I admittedly rolled my eyes when they tried to take issue with "straight women playing lesbians" in porn -- how's Warren Beatty treatin ya, Annette?  And Bart - how's he doing, Julianne?  Who's "inauthentic" now? I can only imagine this intense irony is (real live lesbian) Cholodenko's tongue-in-cheek jab at Hollywood's tendency to cast that way (90% of the recurring cast of The L Word, anyone?), but it also calls into question whether an actor needs to be gay, or straight, to portray, authentically, a character's journey.  But that's another entry for another time.

That said, The Kids Are All Right presents a very frank, occasionally sad, layered, at times joyous, and ultimately pretty realistic portrayal of the ups and downs of coupledom.  Ooh! Also... look out for Yaya DaCosta, of America's Next Top Model: Cycle 3 fame, as Paul's assistant and sometimes-lover. 

The kids are, ultimately, all right, and the family will be too.