The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

Based on The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is the follow-up to the 2012 film where Katinss Everdeen becomes a political target as a rebellion is emerging where she and Peeta Mellark are forced to play the next Hunger Games against previous winners. Directed by Francis Lawrence and screenplay by Michael Arndt and Simon Beaufoy, the film is an exploration of a young woman trying to comprehend her feelings while dealing with a target in her back as Jennifer Lawrence returns as Katniss with Josh Hutcherson as Peeta. Also starring Donald Sutherland, Liam Hemsworth, Stanley Tucci, Elizabeth Banks, Woody Harrelson, Lenny Kravitz, Jeffrey Wright, Amanda Plummer, Jena Malone, Sam Claflin, Toby Jones, and Philip Seymour Hoffman. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is a rapturous yet chilling film from Francis Lawrence.

In the second part of the trilogy where Katniss Everdeen becomes this unlikely beacon of hope for a futuristic, dystopian America. The second part is about Katniss becoming a political target against leader President Snow (Donald Sutherland) who tries to get Katniss to be in his side in order to quiet down this emerging rebellion. Instead, Katniss and Peeta’s plans to pretend to be this couple as a distraction doesn’t work until the new game maker Plutarch Heavensbee (Philip Seymour Hoffman) makes a plan to get all surviving victors of previous Hunger Games to take part in the 75th game where the rules are much more different as is the competition. With Peeta volunteering in place of his mentor Haymitch (Woody Harrelson), the two agree to protect each other during the game with the help of a few allies. It’s a film that plays into a world where things become more chaotic as this young woman is becoming a symbol of hope but she is overwhelmed by memories of the past games as well as her feelings for Peeta and her longtime beau Gale Hawthorne (Liam Hemsworth).

The screenplay by Michael Arndt and Simon Beaufoy definitely has a much broader structure where the first act is about Katniss and Peeta going on a tour on several districts in order to quiet down this rebellion and pretend to be a couple for the cameras. Yet, it becomes far more troubling when the rebellion starts to grow forcing President Snow and Heavensbee to make plans about how to quiet things down. The second act is about the planning of the 75th Hunger Games as tributes from previous game have to play and kill each other bringing more trouble for Katniss and her family. The third act is the game itself where Katniss and Peeta have to find allies in order to survive as there’s something far more that is happening. Even as Katniss is unsure of who to trust with the exception of Peeta as it gets more complicated.

Katniss is much more troubled in this film than in the first one as nightmares, confused feelings for both Gale and Peeta, and the need to protect her family has overwhelmed her. Even as the game itself becomes far more brutal not just physically but mentally as well where Peeta has to ground her as he also wants to protect her though he is also falling for Katniss. It’s not just Katniss and Peeta that are given more to do as their team that includes Haymitch and their publicist Effie Trinket (Elizabeth Banks) are more fleshed out as the latter starts to show more emotion as it becomes clear on how much she cares for both Katniss and Peeta. Then there’s some of the other tributes the two have to face as it ranges from all sorts of individuals where many of them are very strange that includes the very smart and eccentric duo Beetee (Jeffrey Wright) and Wiress (Amanda Plummer), the very charming and powerful Finnick Odair (Sam Claflin), and the very unpredictable yet vicious Johanna Mason (Jena Malone). Yet, they know what this game is about Katniss and Peeta are reluctant to team with them since they all agree that the real enemy is President Snow.

The direction of Francis Lawrence is really spectacular in not just the world that he creates but also in fleshing out the story. Especially as he maintains some simple and some stylistic compositions for the scenes at the Victors village where Peeta and Katniss live with Katniss’ family but also the other districts that is seeped in this dystopia where a rebellion is emerging. The use of wide shots and medium shots for the locations set in parts of the American South including Atlanta plays into a world that is quite troubling and chaotic. Even in contrast to the world where President Snow and the rich live where it’s extravagant and quite artificial. The scenes where the pre-show games showcase a sense of disconnect between the rich and the tributes that are to play the game as Lawrence maintains something that is simple and to the point.

For the film’s third act in the games, Lawrence definitely goes for something that is far more sprawling in the way the games are. Especially as he aims for something that is more controlled as opposed to the shaky-cam approach of the first film. While there are some intense moments of danger, it is presented with some crane and steadicam shots in order to get an idea of what is out there where the camera work is much tighter. Even as there is an air of unpredictability about what is happening where the film ends on a somewhat abrupt note. Yet, it plays to what is to come for Katniss who is a key part of a growing rebellion that is emerging. Overall, Lawrence creates very sensational and engaging film about a young woman dealing with her role as a beacon of hope.

Cinematographer Jo Willems does fantastic work with the film‘s photography from some of the naturalistic look of some of the exterior scenes in the forests and at the dome of the game but also some stylish lights for the interior scenes including the parties and games presentation. Editor Alan Edward Bell does excellent work with the editing by maintaining a steady yet stylistic approach to the cutting with some rhythmic cuts for the film‘s action while slowing things down in its dramatic moments. Production designer Philip Messina, with set decorator Larry Dias and supervising art director John Collins, does amazing work with the set pieces from the look of the Victors‘ village as well as the game dome where everyone else has to kill each other.

Costume designer Trish Sommerville does brilliant work with the costumes from the lavish costumes the tributes have to wear in the pre-game shows as well as the suits they have to wear during the game. Visual effects supervisors Janek Sirrs and Mark Varisco do terrific work with some of the visual effects such as the creatures the characters have to deal with in the game as well as some of the exteriors of the Capital. Sound designer Jeremy Peirson does superb work with the sound from the way gunfire is heard to some of the moments that occur in the games with its mixture of intimate forest scenes and sounds of cannons. The film’s music by James Newton Howard is incredible for its sense of orchestral bombast that plays out in much of the film as well as some serene moments for some of the dramatic moments in the film.

The casting by Debra Zane is just outstanding for the ensemble that is created for the film as it includes some small but notable appearances from recurring characters such as Toby Jones as the Hunger Games reporter, Paula Malcolmson as Katniss’ mom, Willow Shields as Katniss’ sister Prim, Stanley Tucci as the Hunger Games broadcaster Caesar Flickerman, and Lenny Kravitz as Katniss’ dress designer Cinna. Other notable small roles as previous winners include Meta Golding as the teeth-baring Enobaria, Bruno Gunn as the massive Brutus, Alan Ritchson and Stephanie Leigh Schlund as the skillful siblings Gloss and Cashmere, Stef Dawson as Finnick’s wife Annie who was supposed to compete but only to be spared by Mags and Lynn Cohen as the aging yet silent winner Mags whom Finnick cares as she was his mentor and friend. Amanda Plummer is terrific as the very eccentric but smart Wiress while Jeffrey Wright is superb as the brainy Beetee who tries to find a way to beat the game.

Woody Harrelson is amazing as Katniss and Peeta’s mentor Haymitch Abernathy as he tries to get them ready for the games while Elizabeth Banks is delightful as Effie Trinket as their publicist who becomes aware of the reality that is occurring as she grows more fonder of Katniss and Peeta. Philip Seymour Hoffman is excellent as the game maker Plutarch Heavensbee as a man who is eager to ensure that the games will go smoothly as planned as he concocted the idea of doing something radical for the games. Donald Sutherland is brilliant as President Snow as this slimy individual who wants to suppress this rebellion while trying to force Katniss into doing things so that he wouldn’t kill her and her family. Sam Claflin is fantastic as the very charming and skillful Finnick Odair who raises suspicions from Katniss yet proves to be a formidable ally who is aware that something bigger is happening.

Jena Malone is just astounding as Johanna Mason as this very sarcastic and vicious loner who is very unpredictable and cunning yet becomes this unlikely wildcard ally that Katniss needs as Malone just steals the film from everyone. Liam Hemsworth is pretty good as Gale Hawthorne as Katniss’ beau who tries to deal with Katniss’ relationship with Peeta while dealing with the chaos that is happening where he gets beaten by authorities only to be saved by Katniss, Haymitch, and Peeta. Josh Hutcherson is excellent as Peeta who decides to participate in the games for Haymitch despite his chances as he also tries to ensure that Katniss stays alive while deal with his feelings for her. Finally, there’s Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen where Lawrence is just phenomenal in displaying Katniss’ internal conflicts and her confusion for both Peeta and Gale as she also deals with nightmares as well as the fact that she is this symbol of hope against President Snow where Lawrence just adds that weight to make Katniss one of the great characters in film.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is a marvelous film from Francis Lawrence that features a truly exquisite leading performance from Jennifer Lawrence. Along with some notable supporting performances from Josh Hutcherson, Jena Malone, Woody Harrelson, Sam Claflin, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Elizabeth Banks, and Donald Sutherland. The film is definitely something much more than just the typical young-adults blockbuster as it takes time to explore rebellion and a young woman dealing with the role that she has to take. In the end, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is an extraordinary film from Francis Lawrence.

The Hunger Games Films: The Hunger Games - (The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Pt. 1) - (The Hunger Games Mockingjay Pt. 2)

Francis Lawrence Films: (Constantine) - (I Am Legend) - (Water for Elephants)

© thevoid99 2013

The Hunger Games

Based on the novel by Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games is the story about a post-apocalyptic world where a young girl volunteers, in place of her younger sister, to be part of a game where kids kill other kids in a televised contest. In the game, she has to survive while she would befriend one of her competitors. Directed by Gary Ross and script adaptation by Ross, Collins, and Billy Ray, the film is the first part of a trilogy of stories about a young girl who would eventually rebel against the games that would force her to kill various people. Starring Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Elizabeth Banks, Woody Harrelson, Lenny Kravitz, Wes Bentley, Stanley Tucci, Toby Jones, Alexander Ludwig, Isabelle Furhman, Willow Shields, and Donald Sutherland. The Hunger Games is a sprawling yet chilling film from Gary Ross.

In the aftermath of an apocalyptic period that left parts of Panem in poverty and separated in 12 different districts. Children between the ages of 12 and 18 are selected to participate in a brutal game of survival where only one survives in game known as the Hunger Games. Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) is a young girl whose younger sister Primrose (Willow Shields) has just turned 12 as the selections of who will represent the district is ahead. Led by its representative Effie Trinket (Elizabeth Banks), Primrose is selected until Katniss decides to volunteer while a teen named Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) is also selected to represent District 12. Sent to the lavish Capitol City, Katniss and Peeta meet their mentor Haymitch Abernathy (Woody Harrelson) who shows them what to do while Cinna (Lenny Kravitz) helps them get ready to be introduced for the world.

The game’s director Seneca Crane (Wes Bentley) meets with President Snow (Donald Sutherland) to discuss the upcoming games while Katniss and Peeta try to deal with the media attention where Haymitch helps them in doing what is to be said as they’re portrayed as star-crossed lovers. With Katinss being the odds on favorite despite the competition that is ahead, the Hunger games go underway. In the course of two weeks, many are immediately killed as Peeta reluctantly joins the sadistic Cato (Alexander Ludwig) in an alliance while Katniss tries to evade everything despite making a few friends along the way. Yet, she realizes what is going on as many watching where rules are eventually changed as she does everything she can to survive this game.

The film is the story of a young girl from a post-apocalyptic world who volunteers for her younger sister to be in the games. Unaware of how brutal the games are as well as what the powers that be are trying to do in order to make the game much more complicated. She does all that she can to survive but she becomes emotionally attached to those she starts to care about including her old friend Peeta who is the underdog in these games. Yet, it would be seen by these people who run the game as they hope to make a big event out of their relationship where emotions run high and things become complicated.

The story about the game itself where children have to kill children in order to survive definitely harkens back to the story Lord of the Flies. The screenplay that is created succeeds in exploring the circumstances these characters have to do. It’s not just in the game they’re playing but also make an impression for those watching on TV all over the country. Behind the scenes become much more complicated as the game’s director sees something that can get ratings but the actions of Katniss will end up threatening everything where even the country’s president starts to notice. A lot of its narrative is told from the perspective of Katniss Everdeen who is this young woman that is just trying to take care of her younger sister and mother in this poverty stricken town. She also has a boyfriend in Gale Hawthorne (Liam Hemsworth) whom she also cares for. When she volunteers to spare her sister’s life from participating in these games where it’s very likely that she’ll die. She realizes that it’s not just training to survive that she must do.

Since it’s a media event, she has to be presentable to a public clamoring for people to root for. She may be the most skilled person in these games where she would make a grand impression on Crane. She is also the most troubled due to the emotional baggage that she’s carrying as her mentor Hamish is a former participant that remains haunted by his own participation as he tries to help her out as well as Peeta. Peeta may not be as interesting as Katniss as his only skills of survival is his strength and to hide via camouflage. He is aware of the dangers and the fact that he’s a long shot while he also has feelings for Katniss. Though the script does have a few flaws since there is a lot of exposition needed to be explained. It does succeed in creating an element of suspense and terror that occurs as well as creating a world that is truly surreal.

Gary Ross’ direction is pretty good for the way he creates this very different world through amazing wide shots for its locations, in North Carolina, as well as being in the center of the chaos that occurs in these games. He definitely knows how to build suspense in the scenes during the game where it’s all about the uncertainty of survival and what people will do to get ahead. Though a lot of the film in that section isn’t as plot-driven as the film’s first half, Ross does do enough to make it very engaging. Even in moments where he knows to slow things down so that some of the characters can catch a break and strategize.

While it’s among a lot of the highlights of the film that Ross does, the one part of the direction that doesn’t entirely work is the approach to shooting the film on hand-held cameras. In some parts of the dramatic moments of the film as well as the action scenes, the hand-held camera shots do become too shaky where it becomes confusing over what is happening. While it’s not as shaky as some of the current action films of the 2010s, it does become jarring at time where there’s a demand for the camera to remain still. Ross is able to create some amazing tracking shots and controlled camera work yet it’s the hand-held material that really falls flat for the film. Despite the flaws in the direction, Ross is able to succeed in making a solid and entertaining action-thriller.

Cinematographer Tom Stern does a nice job with the film‘s colorful yet lush cinematography from the naturalistic look of the forest scenes to the more extravagant lighting schemes for the capital city scenes. Editors Stephen Mirrione and Juliette Welfing, w/ additional work from Christopher S. Capp, do excellent work in the editing to play up the chaos of the Hunger Games while not delving too much into traditional fast-edits for the action scenes despite the shaky hand-held camera work. Production designer Philip Messina, along with set decorator Larry Dias and art director John Collins, do great work with the set pieces such as the design of the capitol city world as well as the interiors for the training room and penthouses the games‘ participants live in.

Costume designer Judianna Makovsky does an extraordinary job with the lavish costumes created for the film that includes the dresses that many of the female characters and participants wear for the interviews portion of the pre-game scenes. Makeup designer Ve Neill does brilliant work with the crazy look of Effie Trinket as well as some of the camouflage that Peeta wears. Visual effects supervisor Sheena Duggal does some very good work with some of the visual effects made such as the capital city exteriors, the game console room where creatures are created, and the fire that Katniss has to wear on her costume to make her first impression to the public.

Sound editor Lon Bender and sound designer William R. Dean do terrific work with the sound from the naturalistic environment of the Hunger Games location as well as the sound of cannons to signify a death in the game as well as raucous crowd sounds in the capitol city scenes. The film’s score by James Newton Howard wonderful for the bombastic orchestral pieces that is created in some of the film‘s tense moments, notably in the Hunger Games scene, while some of the music is mixed in with dabbles of folk and country courtesy of music supervisor T-Bone Burnett who also compiles a soundtrack ranging from folk to country to play the poverty-world that Katniss and Peeta lived in at District 12.

The casting by Debra Zane is superb for the ensemble that is created for the film as it includes notable small roles from Toby Jones as a Hunger Games reporter, Willow Shields as Katniss’ sister Primrose, Liam Hemsworth as Katniss’ friend Gale, Stanley Tucci as the games’ flamboyant emcee Caesar Flickerman, Lenny Kravitz as the sympathetic make-up artist Cinna, and Elizabeth Banks in a very lavish performance as games representative Effie Trinket. In the roles of some of the participants of the Hunger games, there’s standout performances from Amanda Stenberg as the young District 11 participant Rue, whom Katniss befriends, and Isabelle Fuhrman as the sadistic Clove. In the role of the vicious Cato, Alexander Ludwig is terrible in the part as he is very unconvincing in playing a smug, despicable character. Wes Bentley is excellent as the controlling Seneca Crane who tries to mastermind the game on his own terms.

Donald Sutherland is wonderful as the devious President Snow who tries to control everything around him including the games. Woody Harrelson is brilliant as the troubled mentor Haymitch Abernathy who tries to show Katniss and Peeta the ropes to survive while aiding them outside the confine of the games. Josh Hutcherson is good as Peeta who tries to deal with his odds as well as his feelings for Katniss though it’s not entirely remarkable as Hutcherson seems lost in his portrayal of the young kid who doesn’t have a lot of survival skills other than to hide and have physical strength. Finally, there’s Jennifer Lawrence in a marvelous performance as Katniss Everdeen as Lawrence brings a real sense of grit and determination to a character trying to survive as well as wonderment when she deals with the world she’s in. It’s a true star-making performance for the young actress as she makes Katniss Everdeen her own.

The Hunger Games is a stellar yet thrilling film from Gary Ross that features a mesmerizing performance from Jennifer Lawrence. While the film is flawed due to a few directorial decisions, it is still a very engaging story that explores a dystopian world where it’s all about survival that features a strong female protagonist. In the end, The Hunger Games is an enjoyable suspense-drama from Gary Ross.

Gary Ross Films: (Pleasantville) - (Seabiscuit) - (Free State of Jones) - Ocean's 8

The Hunger Games Films: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire - (Mockingjay Pt. 1) - (Mockingjay Pt. 2)

© thevoid99 2012

The Kids Are All Right

Directed by Lisa Cholodenko with a screenplay written with Stuart Blumberg. The Kids Are All Right tells the story of a lesbian couple who are raising two teenage kids in California. When the kids want to find the identity of their sperm donor father, they find out who their father as it shakes up the lives of the kids’ mothers who reluctantly let him in to their world. Starring Annette Bening, Julianne Moore, Mia Wasikowska, Josh Hutcherson, and Mark Ruffalo. The Kids Are All Right is a witty though flawed film from Lisa Cholodenko and company.

Nic (Annette Bening) and Jules (Julianne Moore) are a married lesbian couple living in Los Angeles with two teenagers named Joni (Mia Wasikowska) and Laser (Josh Hutcherson). Nic is a doctor who likes to maintain things in the house while Jules is a housewife who is about to start a landscaping business. It’s summer as the 18-year old Joni is about to leave for college while the 15-year old Laser wonders who is their father since both their moms were impregnated by a man through a sperm donor.

After discovering that the man’s name is Paul (Mark Ruffalo), a bohemian restaurant owner who likes to create live a carefree lifestyle. Joni and Laser meet the man as Joni is impressed by him though she and Laser decide to keep things secretive. While Nic and Jules are going through a bit of a rough patch over their sex life, they also wonder about Laser’s friendship with his skateboard buddy Clay (Eddie Hassell). After a strange encounter with Laser and Clay which turned out to be a misunderstanding, they learn about Paul as Nic and Jules reluctantly invite Paul to dinner.

Paul meets Jules and Nic where everything is cool though Nic isn’t so keen on him. Jules however, is surprised that he needed a landscaper for his backyard garden as she befriends Paul. Though Nic wasn’t sure about Jules working with Paul, Jules felt free working with Paul while Joni and Laser were also enjoying their time with him. The connection between Paul and Jules becomes more evident though the two realize what relationship they might have with each other could ruin things. Realizing that Paul isn’t the nuisance that she perceived him to be, Nic decides to eat at Paul’s home. Things start out fun and relaxed until Nic makes a horrible discovery that would change the dynamics of the family.

The film is about a family led by two lesbian mothers whose quaint, unconventional life is disrupted when their kids discover who their father is. That’s the plot in a nutshell as it would lead to things that would threaten the marriage between Jules and Nic along with their relationship with their own kids. The screenplay by Lisa Cholodenko and Stuart Blumberg starts off promising with the introduction of Paul and the way his relationship develops with the other characters. Though there’s a few flaws in some parts, notably the character of Laser that feels underwritten. It seems fine though the subplot concerning Jules and Paul’s own attraction each other would set up something that would lead to the more emotional third act.

Though the character of Nic might seem like an uptight, controlling mother who doesn’t like the idea of her daughter riding on a motorcycle with her dad. It’s only because she is having a hard time dealing with this new person in the lives of her children. Even for someone who isn’t well-educated, scruffy-looking, and more of a free-spirit. Yet, there are similarities to Paul and Nic that become more evident including in one point when Paul meets Laser’s friend Clay. It’s clear that he has the same opinion about Clay that Nic and Jules seem to have.

While her character would eventually relax by the time the third act arrives, there comes a moment in the film where everything would crash and lead to some heavy-handed drama. Particularly to do with what Jules and Paul did though the truth is really more complicated and the kids are understandably upset. The problem with that the third act late in the film is that it leaves the film unresolved for one character while there’s also monologues that comes across as preachy and melodramatic. For some reason, it didn’t seem to work as it has this very promising story but no real ending. Not even something that can very open and loose where it can leave a lot of interpretation. It’s just that it doesn’t do things that a story like this should happen.

Cholodenko’s direction is enjoyable to watch in the way she creates intimate and wonderful scenes where characters just interact. Shot on location in Los Angeles, the film has a gorgeous look that recalls the sunny, lively world of Los Angeles. Even in places like the garden that Paul works in along with his home to represent the way the characters live in. Still, Cholodenko is more interested in characters and their interaction towards another. Even in creating humor where it feels natural such as the way Jules is trying to pleasure herself sexually.

The direction for the most part plays it straight and relaxed until in parts of the third act where it becomes very dramatic. Including in one scene where there’s a slow-motion cut from Nic’s perspective about what she just learned that comes across as very manipulative. It’s the one scene that really doesn’t work and the way its presented feels unnecessary and out of place with the rest of the film. Despite the flaws the film has, notably in sections of the third act and its ending. Lisa Cholodenko has created a lively, engaging film about unconventional families.

Cinematographer Igor Jadue-Lillo does a fine job with the film‘s colorful, vibrant photography from the sunny, natural look for many of the film‘s daytime exterior scenes. Even in the nighttime scenes and exteriors where the intimacy of film really comes into place as it is some good, straightforward work from Jadue-Lillo. Editor Jeffrey M. Werner does a very good job with the film’s editing as it mostly plays it straight including some rhythmic cuts for a scene where Joni rides with Paul on his motorcycle. Even in helping to create some great dramatic moments except for one scene where the slow-motion ends up ruining the drama.

Production designer Julie Berghoff, along with set decorator David Cook and art director James Connelly, does an excellent job with the differing looks of the places the characters interact. Whether it’s the more organized home of Jules and Nic or the bohemian world that Paul lives as the art direction is the film‘s technical highlight. Costume designer Mary Claire Hannan does a nice-job with the film‘s costumes from the youthful clothing the kids wear along with the more rugged looks that Jules and Paul sport to the more somewhat-conservative look that Nic wears.

Sound designers Frank Gaeta and Elmo Weber do some nice work with the film’s sound whether its creating a natural atmosphere for quiet scenes or scenes where there’s a party going on. Music composer Carter Burwell does some fantastic work with the film’s mostly folk-driven score with washy electric guitar tracks as it plays in a plaintive tone. Even as the rest of the soundtrack is filled with indie stuff such as MGMT, Vampire Weekend, and Tame Impala to old-school stuff from Joni Mitchell and David Bowie.

The casting by Laura Rosenthal is wonderful for its array of small but memorable performances such as Joaquin Garrido as Jules’ landscaping assistant Luis, Zosia Mamet as Joni’s sex-obsessed friend Sasha, Kunal Sharma as Joni’s quiet male friend Jai, Eddie Hassell as Laser’s abrasive pal Clay, and Yaya DaCosta as Paul’s sometimes lover Tanya.

Josh Hutcherson is very good as Laser despite the fact that he is underwritten. Even in the way his relationship with Paul is developed which at times is awkward though he does bring in some excellent humor to the character and scenes in the film. Mia Wasikowska is superb as Joni, the 18-year old college-bound girl who finds a connection with Paul while feeling uptight about Sasha’s sexual comments. Notably in scenes where her character has a chance to lash out and rebel against Nic’s sense of control as Wasikowska is marvelous to watch.

Mark Ruffalo is amazing as Paul, a bohemian man who discovers that he’s the father of two kids as he is unsure what to do. Yet, Ruffalo makes Paul a charming though somewhat-immature man who is just trying to be a good guy and a grown up. Even in scenes where he feels that he’s going to fuck things up yet he brings a lot of sympathy to a character that isn’t entirely likeable but an overall good guy. Julianne Moore is excellent as Jules, a laid-back housewife wanting satisfaction in her new career as she finds some fulfillment in Paul as Moore and Ruffalo have excellent chemistry. Even as Moore feels like she is someone having a hard time with this new relationship as she brings a lot of humor to the way she reacts despite some clunky moments late in the film.

Annette Bening is pretty good as Nic, the disciplinary yet understanding person of the film who has a hard time dealing with the new person in her family’s lives. While it’s a role where Bening is restrained and in good fashion. She gets to show her bitchiness throughout the film as it starts off fine though by the third act. It kind of falls apart where she has this awful monologue that makes her look childish while some very emotional parts in her performance gets a little overdone at times. It’s probably Bening’s best performance since Kevin Costner’s widely-underrated western Open Range which shows that she can be good when she doesn’t overact or go a lot of heavy lifting.

The Kids Are All Right is a stellar though flawed film from Lisa Cholodenko. While it has a great cast that features Annette Bening, Julianne Moore, Mark Ruffalo, Mia Wasikowska, and Josh Hutcherson. It’s a film that shows what a modern family with same-sex couples can be along with someone from the opposite sex can bring. Despite some good ideas about family, it’s a film that does fall flat due to some heavy-handed ideals towards the end of the film which does kind of ruin things. In the end, The Kids Are All Right is an entertaining and engaging film from Lisa Cholodenko.

Lisa Cholodenko Films: (High Art) - Laurel Canyon - (Cavedweller)

© thevoid99 2011