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The Kids Are Alright Movie Review Summary

Actors: Annette Bening, Julianne Moore, Mark Ruffalo, Mia Wasikowska, Josh Hutcherson

Detailed plot synopsis reviews of The Kids Are Alright


This is the story of a lesbian couple who both have a child from a sperm donor, who later becomes a part of the story in an unsuspected way. Nic (Annette Bening) is married to Jules (Julianne Moore). Both of these ladies had a child from a sperm donor. Together they must raise their children while working out their own issues.
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Nic and Jules each have a child from the same sperm donor. They live in California. Nic is a doctor who specializes in obstetrics. Julie stays at home although she also starts up a landscape business.

The youngest child, Laser (Josh Hutcherson) wants to know who the sperm donor is but since he is not 18 years old yet he can't. He gets his sister Joni, who is 18, to call the sperm bank and locate their father. Their father is Paul (Mark Ruffalo). The two children and Paul meet and Joni really likes Paul's lifestyle. Paul is also excited about being with them now. Joni and Laser agree not to tell their mothers about spending time with Paul so their mothers don't get upset. Regardless, Nic and Jules find out they met Paul and they send him an invitation to come to dinner at their house. Jules talks about her landscape business and Paul wants her to landscape his garden. This upsets Nic but Jules does it anyway.

One day while working at Paul's, he makes her feel good by appreciating her work, which she feels Nic never did. This causes her to kiss him and they go to the bedroom together. Paul, Jules, and the two children begin to spend more time together. Meanwhile, Nic thinks Paul overrides her parenting rules and style. After Nic and Jules argue, Nic says they should eat at Paul's to make amends. Nic and Paul finally connect a bit. During this visit though, Nic finds Jules hair in Paul's bedroom and bathroom. They go home and Nic talks to Jules about the affair. Jules denies the affair but shortly after admits to the affair. Jules tells Nic she doesn't love Paul, only that she wanted to be noticed. Both of the children heard the conversation and also get mad at Jules. This turns tense and Jules sleeps on the couch. While the children are still angry, Paul says he fell for Jules and wants her to leave Nic and wants Jules to take the kids and live at his house. Jules says no and gets upset that he misunderstood her intentions.

The evening before Joni is supposed to go to college, Paul comes over. Nic yells at him and pretty much tells him to leave her family alone. Paul tries to get Laser to look at him from inside the house but Laser just goes away. After Paul leaves, Jules admits her mistakes and asks for forgiveness. The following day, they take Joni to college and while hugging her Jules and Nic touch. Laser tells Jules and Nic they can't split up because they are too old too. Jules and Nic smile.
Best part of story, including ending: I really like the family dynamic of this story. It shows that even two mothers can successfully raise children, a father doesn't have to be present.

Best scene in story: My favorite scene was when they take Joni to college. This shows that even though one child is leaving the home, the home can still return to normal.

Opinion about the main character: I liked that both of the mothers put full effort into raising both children even though they were both conceived from a sperm donor.

The review of this Movie prepared by Cara Gilmore a Level 2 American Robin scholar

Script Analysis of The Kids Are Alright

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Plot & Themes

Time/era of movie:    -   2000's+ (present) Inner struggle or disability    -   Yes Struggle with    -   search for family/history Taboo Sex Story?    -   Yes Kind of sex:    -   Lesbians!

Main Character

Identity:    -   Female Profession/status:    -   doctor Age:    -   20's-30's Ethnicity/Nationality    -   White American

Setting

United States    -   Yes The US:    -   West

Writing Style

Accounts of torture and death?    -   no torture/death Any profanity?    -   Occasional swearing

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