--- title: "The Kids Are All Right" year: 2010 kind: "film" canonical: "https://film.one/film/the-kids-are-all-right" fi1m_score: 80 critics_score: 79 critics_reviews: 18 published: "2026-09-17T07:21:53.928615+00:00" updated: "2026-09-18T08:38:42.710807+00:00" region: "US" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # The Kids Are All Right (2010) Directed by Lisa Cholodenko · 1h 46m · MPA R · Comedy, Drama **Fi1m score: 80** · Critics 79 from 18 reviews *In a sentence:* Two mothers and a sperm donor make a persuasive case for leaving the adults unsupervised as little as possible > Lisa Cholodenko’s family comedy is funny, perceptive and carried by performances that make long familiarity convincing. It sometimes settles difficult questions too comfortably, but Annette Bening and Julianne Moore give the marriage enough friction to keep it honest. ## Synopsis Nic (Annette Bening) and Jules (Julianne Moore) are raising Joni (Mia Wasikowska) and Laser (Josh Hutcherson) together. Their children introduce a new person into this established household: Paul (Mark Ruffalo), the sperm donor who helped make the family possible. Joni and Laser want to get to know him, while their mothers try to work out how he fits into lives that have carried on without him. Meeting the donor turns a question about the children’s origins into an immediate problem for the parents. Nic and Jules must accommodate the children’s curiosity without letting Paul’s arrival unsettle their relationship. ## Review Lisa Cholodenko’s *The Kids Are All Right* is a warm, sharply acted family comedy that we recommend with one reservation: it sometimes makes its difficult questions too easy to answer. The arrival of a sperm donor could have supplied a succession of jokes about an unusual household. Instead, the film pays attention to the couple already raising the children. Their routines have become habits, and those habits can irritate the people they once reassured. The comedy comes from recognising how much irritation a loving family can accommodate. Annette Bening plays Nic with a watchfulness that makes even reasonable concern feel faintly supervisory. Julianne Moore’s Jules is less firmly in command, and the performance gives her uncertainty weight without asking us to find it charming. Together they suggest years of knowing what the other person will say and still wishing she would say something else. We laughed at the mothers’ strained efforts to answer a serious question. Their determination to be sensible makes the exchange awkward, and both actors let the worry show through the composure. Mark Ruffalo makes Paul easy company, which is exactly what complicates matters. He brings an appealing looseness to a family whose members already know one another’s faults, and the actor lets us enjoy that change without insisting that everyone should welcome it. Mia Wasikowska and Josh Hutcherson give Joni and Laser distinct reactions to the adults around them. Neither performance treats a child’s curiosity as a convenient excuse to start the plot. Their presence keeps the parental anxieties in proportion. Lisa Cholodenko and Stuart Blumberg are good at making considerate language sound mildly aggressive. The family members want to be decent, open-minded people, and that gives them elaborate ways to avoid saying something simple and unkind. We can hear affection and exasperation in the same exchange. Occasionally, though, the dialogue becomes too pleased with its grasp of liberal parenting. The cast usually keeps it conversational, but there are moments when we can hear the writers arranging the joke. Igor Jadue-Lillo’s colourful photography gives the domestic comedy an agreeable brightness without making its discomfort feel out of place. Julie Berghoff’s production design makes the household feel comfortably established, giving the disruption somewhere credible to happen. Jeffrey M. Werner’s editing gives the exchanges a conversational rhythm; the jokes do not feel detached from the disagreements. Carter Burwell’s music leaves the awkwardness with the actors, where it belongs. These contributions work together without making the family’s troubles feel excessively polished for our enjoyment. The reservation concerns how firmly the script wants to settle what family means. There is room here for selfishness and confusion, but less willingness to leave their consequences untidied. Without giving away how the relationships develop, some of the writing grows more instructive than these performances need. We wanted the film to trust the uncomfortable feelings it had already stirred. A little more patience with that discomfort would have made the drama stronger. By the standards of family comedy, this is unusually attentive to the work of remaining a couple while being parents. It allows the women to be difficult without making their sexuality an explanation for every difficulty. That freedom gives the actors space to be funny, cross and occasionally unfair. Go for the performances and the accuracy of the domestic irritation. Allow for a screenplay that sometimes wants everyone to learn the lesson before they have finished the conversation. *Fi1m score 80, published 17 September 2026.* ## What the critics say Most critics warmly welcome The Kids Are All Right as a funny, perceptive account of marriage and family life, with praise centred on Annette Bening and Julianne Moore’s convincing partnership. Mark Ruffalo also earns strong notices, while the cast’s natural rapport helps make the household’s tensions recognisable. The reviews repeatedly credit Lisa Cholodenko with balancing sharp domestic humour and sympathy for flawed adults, treating same-sex parenting as part of everyday family life rather than a topic requiring instruction. The disagreement concerns how honestly the film follows through on those complications, rather than the quality of its performances. The New Yorker objects to self-conscious liberal chatter and moralising, while the Evening Standard sees wish-fulfilment where others find emotional truth. Den of Geek finds the handling too safe. The spread runs from enthusiastic praise to qualified approval: reservations about conventional storytelling matter to a minority, but none of the reviews is outright negative. ### Reviews we read (18) - **Time Out**, Dave Calhoun (5/5): The critic highlights the warm, wise humour that distinguishes the film, along with its convincing and affecting portrait of modern American family life. It singles out the relatable dynamics of the two mothers and their children as they navigate the arrival of the sperm donor. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/the-kids-are-all-right-1) - **Los Angeles Times**, Betsy Sharkey (90/100, inferred): The critic describes the film as witty, urbane and thoroughly entertaining, an ode to family virtues in an unconventional household, singling out the peerless performances of Annette Bening, Julianne Moore and Mark Ruffalo along with Cholodenko's lyrical direction and adventurous script. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-jul-08-la-et-kids-all-right-20100708-story.html) - **Screen Daily** (90/100, inferred): The critic calls the film a consistently amusing delight that cleverly peppers laughs into its examination of the modern family while making the case for accepting gay couples with children. It singles out the expertly constructed one-liners and the realistic, natural rapport among the cast. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/the-kids-are-all-right/5010027.article) - **The Guardian**, Peter Bradshaw (90/100, inferred): The film is a sparkling, easygoing comedy of emotional difficulty and a witty portrait of postmodern family life. Cholodenko and her cast carry off the complex juggling act of family disruption with sensitivity, wit and warmth. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2010/oct/28/the-kids-are-all-right-review) - **The New York Times**, A.O. Scott (85/100, inferred): The critic calls the film wonderful and praises its portrait of a liberal middle-class lesbian couple (Annette Bening and Julianne Moore) whose domestic routines and complacency are gently mocked and empathetically observed as their children introduce their sperm donor into the family. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/11/movies/11scott.html) - **Empire**, Anna Smith (80/100, inferred): The critic praises the film as a witty, warm exploration of family life, highlighting its keenly observed portrait of a marriage tested by change and its blend of humor and heart in depicting relatable adult characters. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/kids-right-review/) - **Little White Lies**, Adam Woodward (3/4/4): The critic finds the film intelligent, sharp and extremely funny, with a cracking cast and healthy Sundance buzz. It singles out the fresh take on family-centric comedy and the shining performances from Annette Bening and Julianne Moore in a sincere, well-observed portrait of domestic life. [Read](https://lwlies.com/reviews/the-kids-are-all-right) - **Sight and Sound**, Sophie Mayer (70/100, inferred): The critic praises Lisa Cholodenko’s film for examining the complications of alternative families with a rare mixture of wit, intelligence, laidback naturalism and sexual frankness. It singles out the naturalism of the performances and scenes, along with the way the story balances family togetherness and individual freedom. [Read](http://old.bfi.org.uk/sightandsound/review/5677) - **The Hollywood Reporter**, Justin Lowe (70/100, inferred): The film is a conventional romantic comedy about a long-term lesbian couple and their mid-life parenting issues that is respectably entertaining but not exceptional. It singles out the strong performances from Moore, Bening, Ruffalo, and Wasikowska along with Cholodenko’s polished direction for praise. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/kids-are-all-right-film-29203/) - **The New Yorker**, Anthony Lane (70/100, inferred): The critic highlights the film's honest tension between adventure and repose in Lisa Cholodenko's direction, commending the strong performances especially from Annette Bening and Mark Ruffalo, while noting some overly self-conscious liberal prattle and a shift to moralizing in the climax. [Read](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2010/07/12/wives-tales) - **Evening Standard** (60/100, inferred): The critic views the film as a thoughtful response to family dilemmas but ultimately sees it as wish-fulfilment that is no more honest than lesser comedies about the conflicts it portrays. [Read](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/the-kids-are-all-right-but-are-the-mums-7422313.html) - **Eye for Film**, Stephen Carty (4.5/5): The film is a poignant, true-to-life character drama about the difficulties of marriage and family life that surprises with its humour and charm. The critic singles out the hugely convincing performances from Moore and Bening as the long-married couple for particular praise. [Read](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/the-kids-are-all-right-film-review-by-stephen-carty) - **HeyUGuys**, Jamie Neish (90/100, inferred): The film is a fantastic, charming portrait of family relationships and human struggles that overcomes any obstacles through love. The critic singles out the pitch-perfect performances from Moore and Bening as the lesbian couple and Cholodenko's superb direction and balanced screenplay. [Read](https://www.heyuguys.com/the-kids-are-all-right-review-2/) - **The Wrap**, Leah Rozen (85/100, inferred): The critic praises the film's honest portrayal of a long-term marriage and family life, highlighting Annette Bening's standout performance as particularly ferocious, funny, and moving. She singles out the realistic depiction of domestic conflicts and relationships as a welcome departure from typical Hollywood fare. [Read](https://www.thewrap.com/kids-are-all-right-review-18943/) - **Paste**, Amanda Petrusich (80/100, inferred): The critic finds the film funny and warm, noting that it focuses on love and forgiveness as what defines family rather than getting bogged down in politics. A few narrative hiccups are mentioned but do not detract from the overall positive take on the story's heartfelt family dynamics. [Read](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/the-kids-are-all-right-review) - **Digital Spy**, Stella Papamichael (75/100, inferred): The critic notes plenty of laughs from the New Age parenting approach alongside sophistication from the cast, but observes that building tension does not fully deliver a gutsy finale; still finds the film consistently heartfelt. [Read](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/bfi-london-film-festival/a281100/the-kids-are-all-right/) - **Den of Geek**, Mark Harrison (3/5): The critic finds the film worthy of its awards buzz as the best of its indie dramedy type but notes that its foibles and overly safe handling of the subject matter bring it down; praises the stellar performances by Annette Bening and Julianne Moore above all. [Read](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/the-kids-are-all-right-review/) - **The Skinny**, Nicola Balkind (★★★): The critic calls it a fitting queer comedy-drama with its heart in the right place that offers a fresh, authentic feel through colourful photography and excellent performances; notes it is well-written and deferential on same-sex parenting but by no means groundbreaking. [Read](https://www.theskinny.co.uk/film/new-releases/the-kids-are-all-right) ## Details - **Director:** Lisa Cholodenko - **Director:** Lisa Cholodenko - **Writer:** Stuart Blumberg, Lisa Cholodenko - **Cinematography:** Igor Jadue-Lillo - **Editor:** Jeffrey M. Werner - **Music:** Carter Burwell - **Production design:** Julie Berghoff - **Costume design:** Mary Claire Hannan - **Producer:** Celine Rattray, Gary Gilbert, Daniela Taplin Lundberg - **Cast:** Julianne Moore as Jules; Annette Bening as Nic; Mark Ruffalo as Paul; Mia Wasikowska as Joni; Josh Hutcherson as Laser; Yaya DaCosta as Tanya; Kunal Sharma as Jai; Eddie Hassell as Clay - **Runtime:** 1h 46m - **Certificate (MPA):** R - **Release (the US):** 9 July 2010 - **Genres:** Comedy, Drama - **Budget:** $4 million - **Box office:** $35 million - **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RixlpHKfb6M ## Where to watch in the US - Amazon Prime Video: rent $3.99, hd - Apple TV: rent $3.99, hd - Amazon Prime Video: buy $4.99, hd - Apple TV: buy $4.99, hd *Checked 2026-09-17.* Also available in: AR, BR, CA, CL, CO, DK, FI, IT, MX, NL, NO, PA, SE, US. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country. ## Awards - Academy Awards 2011: Best Actress (nominated); Best Picture (nominated); Best Supporting Actor (nominated); Best Writing, Original Screenplay (nominated) ## If you liked this - *Secrets & Lies* (1996), Fi1m 88: Another family gathering where affection survives difficult discoveries and some appalling manners. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/secrets-and-lies.md) - *Still Walking* (2008): A quieter family visit, attentive to old grievances and the work of caring. - *The Wedding Banquet* (1993), Fi1m 81: Domestic negotiations, parental expectations and sexual secrecy, handled with humour and sympathy. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-wedding-banquet.md) - *20th Century Women* (2016): More untidy parenting, with room for the children to disagree and grow. - *The Farewell* (2019), Fi1m 84: Family loyalty gets complicated when everyone believes they know what kindness requires. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-farewell.md) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/the-kids-are-all-right