A Family Affair: When Chemistry Isn’t Enough
Romantic comedies often rely on the sizzling chemistry between their leads to carry the entire film. In the case of A Family Affair, the reunion of Nicole Kidman and Zac Efron should have been a surefire hit. After all, their on-screen romance in 2012’s The Paperboy was enough to triple air conditioner sales worldwide. However, despite their undeniable charm, this latest romcom from director Richard LaGravenese falls flat.
A Family Affair
The problem lies in the script’s attempt to tackle too many genres at once. A Family Affair is not just a romantic comedy, but also a coming-of-age story for Zoey King’s Zara, a coming-of-middle-age story for Kidman’s Brooke, and a slapstick himbo sex comedy for Efron’s Chris. The result is a messier-than-necessary film that lacks the nuance to effectively explore any of these individual ideas.
Zoey King shines in A Family Affair
One of the few redeeming qualities of the film is King’s charm, which manages to pull us through an often-unlikeable character arc. The warmth between Kidman and Kathy Bates, who plays Brooke’s mother-in-law, is also a highlight of the film. One scene they share in particular is so good that it feels like it belongs in another movie.
A heartfelt moment between Kidman and Bates
It’s hard to imagine the film’s original title, “Motherfucker”, working in moments like these, although it’s a shame that the final result lacks that title’s vibrant, sorely-needed energy. You know there’s a problem when Chris’s “Die Hard meets Miracle on 34th Street” blockbuster, or his horror about invisible zombies who turn your brains into kelp, sound better than the actual film you’re watching.
“A Family Affair is messier than the actual family it portrays.”
Despite the film’s shortcomings, it’s clear that Kidman and Efron still share plenty of chemistry. However, it’s not enough to save what should have been a surefire hit from Hallmark musings and tired clichés. Not even Kidman playing off Kathy Bates, or Efron singing Cher’s Believe, are enough to redeem this lacklustre romcom.
Efron’s Chris is a himbo sex comedy
A Family Affair is a disappointing reminder that even the most talented actors can’t elevate a poorly written script. Here’s hoping that Kidman and Efron’s next collaboration will be a more successful one.
