The Kids Are All Right (2010)

The two children (Mia Wasikowska, Josh Hutcherson) of a lesbian couple (Annette Bening, Julianne Moore) seek out their sperm donor (Mark Ruffalo) out of curiosity and what follows affects all five of them in ways they never expected. Directed by Lisa Cholodenko (HIGH ART). A captivating film on a most unusual family dynamic. Outside of a few cheap laughs that are beneath it, Cholodenko’s film is both funny and insightful, touching and heartbreaking without pandering itself to the audience. The characters are refreshingly two dimensional and, considering the subject matter, not stereotypes. The acting is first rate with Annette Bening standing out a bit more than the others. I found her character the most relatable. Yes, she's wound up and uptight but she's still more grounded than the other characters who all seem on shaky ground. Although the family here is about two lesbians and their offspring, the family relationship could be applied anywhere. One glaring question though. The film was a critical success and an audience favorite. So why hasn't Lisa Cholodenko directed a feature film these last 16 years? With Yaya DaCosta and Zosia Mamet.