the kids are all right: the film's just a'ight

there was one moment during this film when i felt like there was dramatically intriguing stuff. otherwise, THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT offers an interesting look at the levels of sacrifice necessary in a long-term "marriage," gay or not. the story's stituation is unique to lezzie partnerships, however, for breadwinner mom one (annette bening) and dykey mom two (julienne moore) bore children together thanks to one hippie sperm donor (mark ruffalo). the resulting children, now of age, search the hippie down, and his brief addition to the family catalyzes a long-comin', bedrock-shakin' fight between moms one and two.

for conservative theatre-goers, director LISA CHOLODENKO highlights what is probably one of biggest problems in a lesbian marriage: the need to feel sexually fulfilled by something only a man can provide. it's interesting to see that play out dramatically, though in the end i'm not sure it provides the argument it's necessarily going for in proving the absolute viability of gay marriage between women when compared to marriage between man and woman. what it does prove is that this group of people under the "momses," as one character describes, is a fully functioning, alternative family unit.

again: there's one moment that makes this movie absolutely worthwhile, but i can't in good mind spoil it. the filmmaking at that point is great. otherwise, the movie's pretty indie and the performances are generally good, though not oscar-worthy as many people are labelling it. this is simply the mainstream gay movie of the year.