FRIENDS WITH KIDS
CAROLINE: I was so excited to see Friends With Kids since I have thoroughly enjoyed Jennifer Westfeldt’s past endeavors. Plus the cast is awesome and it just seemed like a story that’s totally up my alley.
RYAN: Me too! I’m dying to see this but couldn’t make the screening. Please tell me it was good! People are even calling it a mini-Bridesmaids reunion since practically half the cast is in this movie too.
CAROLINE: This is true – it’s got Kristen Wiig, Jon Hamm, Maya Rudolph and cutie Chris O’Dowd. But they’re the supporting players here. The leads are Adam Scott from Parks & Rec and Jennifer W. herself, who also wrote and directed the film.
RYAN: I loved her in Kissing Jessica Stein. So how is her latest venture? I believe it’s her directorial debut.
CAROLINE: It is, and I so wanted to love this movie; but alas, I could not. It’s not a total dud, but it was disappointing.
RYAN: Oh no!! Why?
CAROLINE: Something didn’t click. The dialogue wasn’t snappy enough, it felt slow and they didn’t use enough music. Some scenes were close to deadly and I was like, “Why is there no music here?”
RYAN: That’s so Raven! Is it supposed to be a comedy?
CAROLINE: It’s much more drama than comedy, but there are a few comedic moments. Given this cast, I should have been doubled over laughing at the funny parts, but I wasn’t. Not even close.
RYAN: You’re making me sad.
CAROLINE: I’m sad too, believe me. I thought I would love this movie. But something was missing. A lot of it had to do with the utter lack of chemistry between the two leads.
RYAN: But isn’t the point that they’re BFFs who aren’t into each other but then decide to have a baby together?
CAROLINE: Yes, but even their friendship didn’t work for me. I hate to say it, but Jennifer Westfeldt was the weakest link. Her acting just isn’t all that awesome. I really like her and find her appealing, and I even loved that short-lived sitcom she was on, Notes from the Underbelly; but she didn’t work for me in this. I wanted more. Better writing, more humor, better drama.
RYAN: You’d think they’d do some great ad libbing, at least with a cast of this caliber.
CAROLINE: Totally! The jokes were few and far between and when they were there, they weren’t that funny.
RYAN: Isn’t Megan Fox in it?
CAROLINE: Yes, and she’s insanely gorgeous. Her acting’s decent too. And Ed Burns has a small part. Again, an amazing cast; I just didn’t love the final product. And it’s a total rip-off of When Harry Met Sally in parts. I can certainly understand wanting to tip your hat to that incredible movie, but this was too much.
RYAN: Should I at least watch it on cable when it comes out?
CAROLINE: Oh totally! It’s worth seeing if you like these actors, and it explores a topic that many people can relate to, albeit from the POV of wealthy Manhattanites and Brooklynites. I certainly didn’t hate it, but I was expecting so much more.
— RATING —
