FRIENDS WITH KIDS
By Gary Murray
Starring Jennifer Westfeldt, Maya Rudolph, Jon Hamm, Kristen Wiig, Adam Scott, Chris O’Dowd, Megan Fox and Edward Burns.
Written and directed by Jennifer Westfeldt
Running time 108 min
MPAA Rating R
Selig Film Rating Matinee
Jennifer Westfeldt is an actress who has had some independent success with the art house film Kissing Jessica Stein a few years ago. Though she has appeared on television and Broadway, major success in main stream features has not been a part of her career. That could change with her writer/director/star turn in Friends with Kids.
The story concerns two best friends Julie (Jennifer Westfeldt) and Jason (Adam Scott). The two are young upwardly mobile New Yorkers who enjoy the single life of Manhattan. They are friends with two couples, one married and the other seriously dating. At the film opens, they are all in a very expensive restaurant noting the people who bring screaming little kids. They all vow that they will never be the type of people who bring kids into restaurants full of adults.
Fast forward a few years later and the other couples are now friends with kids and their lives have changed. The married couples have forsaken Manhattan for the suburbs. It seems that the group will never be the same. Julie and Jason begin to note that couples seem to find their soul mate after the first marriage and kid. They hit on a very bad idea—have a kid together and commit to raising the child in half shifts. Then the two will find their true soul mates. All the couples think that it is a bad idea but supports them.
The film is of the complications of the idea. Jason still wants to be the non-committal player and soon meets Mary Jane (Megan Fox). She is a Broadway dancer and free spirit. The idea of family and kids are something she wants no part of. Julie wants to find Mr. Right and begins her search. The baby complicates the two friends in the feelings and emotions department. The movie Friends with Kids is about how children change the lives of adults and what makes a family. It is about love and relationships and along the way there are poop jokes upon poop jokes.
The biggest surprise of Friends with Kids is Kristen Wiig. The comedic actress of SNL fame has been taking on different movie roles and has had a massive hit with Bridesmaids. Here she plays a fully developed character Missy and not just a thumbnail comedic beat. She has one big scene where she becomes a raw emotion, showing that she is not just a comic but an actress. This role should make casting agents take a second look at the performer.
With such a big cast, there are not many moments where the cast can rise above the fray. Most have little moments here and there where they can put on the acting prowess. Adam Scott is best known for his role opposite Amy Poehler in Parks & Rec. Though he is supposed to be some kind of lothario in Friends with Kids, it becomes harder and harder to believe that the ‘nice guy’ could be the kind of player who would land someone like Megan Fox. They should have used Jon Hamm in the role.
Jennifer Westfeldt is the writer/director of Friends with Kids and this is her baby. She gives herself the best close-ups and some of the funniest lines. A charming performer, the role of Julie gives Jennifer a chance to show not only her talent as an actress but as a writer. She crafts some witty moments, sometimes rising above something seen on television, but there are way too many moments where the idea is shtick. The camera loves her and she looks perfect in every shot. It just that some of the material is a bit lazy.
Parts of Friends with Kids feel like sit-com fodder, especially with the heavy TV performing cast. While it is not a bad film, it is also not a great film. There are some great Kristen Wiig moments and Megan Fox is used sparingly and effectively. All in all, Friends with Kids is not a awful movie just not a grand one.
