With four of the cast members of Bridesmaids returning for Friends with Kids, the movie looked like it would be raunchy and hilarious. However, the trailers are very misleading; FWK is more of a "slice of life" movie, which is not to everybody's taste. The supporting cast also give very good performances, but they are unfortunately underused.
Jason Fryman (Adam Scott, TV's Parks and Recreation) and Julie Keller (Jennifer Westfeldt, TV's 24) are childless, but all of their friends are having babies. However, each new baby seems to ruin their friends' relationships. Leslie and Alex (Maya Rudolph and Chris O'Dowd, Bridesmaids) were happily married but now are super stressed each day because of their kids. Ben and Missy (Jon Hamm and Kristin Wiig, Bridesmaids) used to have sex all the time, even in public places like restaurant bathrooms, but since having kids have begun to hate each other more and more every day. Both Julie and Jason want a baby, but they are close friends consider each other to be almost like siblings, and they have no sexual attraction towards each other. Even so, they decide to have a baby and split all the responsibilities 50/50. This way, Julie and Jason believe they'll get to raise a child but don't have to deal with the downside of "not liking each other" anymore.
With such a great comedic cast, you would think the film would have tons of funny moments, but there are only a few sprinkled throughout. What the film does do, however, is provide a realistic story with some awkward moments in between too, like this situation probably would be if two platonic friends decided to have a baby together. Westfeldt (also the writer and director) and Scott have good chemistry together, and they are able to keep the plot moving even though it's a bit slow throughout. There is one scene in particular, a dinner scene at a cabin in Vermont, that is extremely awkward; but also definitely could have happened if this was a real-life story.
Yes, see this film - just be aware that it's probably not the film that you think it is. If you're looking for an interesting story with good performances, then you will like it; however, if you're looking for more of a raunchy comedy, you should wait until 21 Jump Street is out next week and see that instead.
Friends with Kids is in theaters now and is rated R with a runtime of 110 minutes. 3 stars out of 5.
Click here if trailer for Friends with Kids is not shown
=========================================================
=========================================================
Liz Parker is a 2009 graduate of the University of Michigan. She currently works as an Assistant Medical Editor for a pathology website. Visit her at her movie blog Yes/No Films
