Publications
Partners
What it's about:
Julie (Jennifer Westfeldt) and Jason (Adam Scott) are successful, single and broody. As life-long friends, they decide to have a baby together without being in a relationship with each other. Despite their already-breeding friends, Leslie and Alex and Missy and Ben (Bridesmaids cast members Maya Rudolph, Chris O’Dowd, Kristen Wiig and Jon Hamm) obviously struggling with parenthood, they seem to be managing their "progressive" lifestyle just fine. That’s until they each start getting serious with other people...
What we thought:
Why doesn't Jennifer Westfeldt do more movies? Her storytelling style is refreshing; especially considering Friends with Kids is a rom-com in an almost saturated market.
Jon Hamm’s leading lady is also a great multi-tasker. As writer, director and actress, she's got a lot on her plate. As an actress, she's adorable. Every time she swears or says something explicit, her head tilts inward, as if she's as surprised as we are that such filthy words are coming out of her pretty face. It makes for a very authentic performance.
The film is built on this interesting premise and Julie and Jason's success with this parenting arrangement lends itself to the success of the movie. At times there's too much serious talk and not enough funny lines, but perhaps Westfeldt shot for quality over quantity. The writing is indeed superb overall though and the cast excel at the delivery.
Set in hip, cosmopolitan New York, the scenery offers an interesting contrast to the everydayness of raising kids, mirroring Julie and Jason's arrangement.
Adam Scott as Jason toes a line between being awesome and being an asshole, once again adding to the film's authenticity, while Jon Hamm as Ben is chief asshole who can't deal with the fact that his relationship with Missy is in the crapper.
This movie deals with relationships on a rands and cents level: Giving it to the audience straight instead of trying to unpack the larger issues all the time. Yes, there are the corny, predictable moments – a necessary evil in all good rom-coms. There’s no illusion that the genre could survive without it.
Megan Fox and Edward Burns play the other halves in Julie and Jason's relationships. Their looks are really played up as neither make for particularly compelling or funny characters. Burns basically regurgitates his 27 Dresses role while Megan Fox comes off as vapid. With the rest of the cast being such hoots, it's a pity that these two integral characters are wasted on these actors.
Friends with Kids is an honest, relatable, funny and sweet film that speaks to the more intelligent rom-com lover. I know that sounds snobby, but I'm taking it. That's how much I enjoyed this movie.
Nora Ephron left some big shoes to fill, but Jennifer Westfeldt could just be growing into them.
Julie (Jennifer Westfeldt) and Jason (Adam Scott) are successful, single and broody. As life-long friends, they decide to have a baby together without being in a relationship with each other. Despite their already-breeding friends, Leslie and Alex and Missy and Ben (Bridesmaids cast members Maya Rudolph, Chris O’Dowd, Kristen Wiig and Jon Hamm) obviously struggling with parenthood, they seem to be managing their "progressive" lifestyle just fine. That’s until they each start getting serious with other people...
What we thought:
Why doesn't Jennifer Westfeldt do more movies? Her storytelling style is refreshing; especially considering Friends with Kids is a rom-com in an almost saturated market.
Jon Hamm’s leading lady is also a great multi-tasker. As writer, director and actress, she's got a lot on her plate. As an actress, she's adorable. Every time she swears or says something explicit, her head tilts inward, as if she's as surprised as we are that such filthy words are coming out of her pretty face. It makes for a very authentic performance.
The film is built on this interesting premise and Julie and Jason's success with this parenting arrangement lends itself to the success of the movie. At times there's too much serious talk and not enough funny lines, but perhaps Westfeldt shot for quality over quantity. The writing is indeed superb overall though and the cast excel at the delivery.
Set in hip, cosmopolitan New York, the scenery offers an interesting contrast to the everydayness of raising kids, mirroring Julie and Jason's arrangement.
Adam Scott as Jason toes a line between being awesome and being an asshole, once again adding to the film's authenticity, while Jon Hamm as Ben is chief asshole who can't deal with the fact that his relationship with Missy is in the crapper.
This movie deals with relationships on a rands and cents level: Giving it to the audience straight instead of trying to unpack the larger issues all the time. Yes, there are the corny, predictable moments – a necessary evil in all good rom-coms. There’s no illusion that the genre could survive without it.
Megan Fox and Edward Burns play the other halves in Julie and Jason's relationships. Their looks are really played up as neither make for particularly compelling or funny characters. Burns basically regurgitates his 27 Dresses role while Megan Fox comes off as vapid. With the rest of the cast being such hoots, it's a pity that these two integral characters are wasted on these actors.
Friends with Kids is an honest, relatable, funny and sweet film that speaks to the more intelligent rom-com lover. I know that sounds snobby, but I'm taking it. That's how much I enjoyed this movie.
Nora Ephron left some big shoes to fill, but Jennifer Westfeldt could just be growing into them.
