Dvd/150: THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT (Lisa Cholodenko, 2010)

Gay couple Nic and Jules are content: Nic is a doctor and Jules is launching her landscaping business and both are proud that daughter Joni going to university soon.  Unknown to them, Joni and younger brother Laser have made contact with their sperm donor father Paul and want to see more of him.

Paul's presence proves unsettling and soon tiny details - Nic's enthusiastic wine consumption and Jules' reliance on Nic's financial support - are seized upon as weapons.

Lisa Cholodenko's comedy/drama benefits from excellent performances.  Annette Bening and Julianne Moore have great chemistry and it's a joy to see them explore their characters' confusion at their sudden shifting emotions.

Mark Ruffalo is great as Paul, although the script twist of him and Jules starting a sexual relationship feels contrived.

Fine performances too from Mia Wasikowska and Josh Hutcherson as the teens starting to rebel against their loving but careful upbringing.

Shelf or charity shop?  Happy to have seen it, will let someone else enjoy it too...