THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT

I hate the title of this otherwise wonderful movie, although the writer/director, Lisa Cholodenko, explained it in her post-industry-screening discussion. She said that she calls everyone “kids,” and the title is to say that all the characters turn out right. I liked the title better when it was the movie about The Who!!! (I know–that one is “alright,” not “all right.”)

No matter how not good the title is, the movie is excellent. Great cast; I’ve always loved Mark Ruffalo, Julianne Moore is always good, and Annette Bening has always looked like a lesbian to me, so it’s all good.

As usual, I didn’t check to see what it was about, because I like to be surprised. I did notice that one of my chick zines said it’s a must see for the summer. Usually, anything with Mark Ruffalo is in that category for me. When I first saw him in You Can Count On Me a decade ago, I could not believe how natural this guy was. I love actors like that!

So, here’s what it’s basically about. (If you don’t want to know, skip to the next paragraph.) The teen-age children of an older lesbian couple decide to find their sperm donor dad. Shockingly, it goes even better than anyone in real life can ever hope for, I assume. He’s handsome, fun, owns an organic restaurant, and drives a motorcycle. And wants to hang with these kids!!! Okay, so I don’t think this film is exactly realistic, but it’s funny and moves along. The only thing that concerns me a bit is that in a Q and A, Mark said that the humor is by accident, so I was trying not to laugh and hurt anyone’s feelings, but upon further reflection, I decided that either he mis-spoke or I mis-listened because it was really amusing. Most non-married real dads aren’t this good to their kids!!! Or at least none that I’ve ever seen.

I honestly never before thought about Mark’s looks, just his talent. But man, I’m telling you, he was adorable in this film!

I was once asked to play a part in a chick flick, but the character had been a lesbian in college, so I had to turn it down. The writer called me to find out why I would turn down a good part just because she was bi-sexual, and I said, “I’m not that great an actress.” I swear, I can’t even kiss a guy I’m not attracted to, let alone kissing any female! I couldn’t even kiss Megan Fox! So, I really admire Julianne Moore and Annette Bening for pulling it off so realistically.

The story, as unrealistic as it might be, really moved along. And therein lies its excellence. This film is about the journey, not the resolution. And it’s a really fun journey. I never would have thought that Julianne Moore could be so funny! She, the director, and the two kids, Mia Wasikowska and Josh Hutcherson, spoke afterwards, and there’s always something to be learned from these discourses.

But the hero of the day, to me, was Mark Ruffalo. He couldn’t be there post-screening, because it was his son’s birthday. So, rather than blowing us off (I really would have been disappointed,) he showed up to speak to us before the screening! Now there’s a mensch for you. And he’s also the most natural, not-full-of-himself, down-to-the-earth, and not condescending actor I’ve ever heard speak at one of these industry screenings. He spoke like he was still one of the hoi polloi, struggling for jobs, rather than a very successful movie star. He even made sure to let us know that it took a decade of hard work in little theatres before he got his first break. Very educational, as well as cute, charming, and a dedicated dad. Now, that’s my kind of man. His pre-film insights made me enjoy it even more.