A Family Affair
Directed by Richard LaGravenese
★★
Persons Shown
Nicole Kidman, Zac Efron
Description
A Family Affair. (L-R) Nicole Kidman as Brooke Harwood and Zac Efron as Chris Cole in A Family Affair. Cr. Aaron Epstein/Netflix © 2024
Production Still Image
6000 x 4000
Credit
Aaron Epstein/Netflix
Copyright
© 2024 Netflix, Inc.
A Family Affair, directed by Richard LaGravenese and starring Nicole Kidman, Zac Efron, and Joey King, is a romantic comedy that promises to delve into the complications of love, sex, and identity. Unfortunately, despite a star-studded cast and a seemingly intriguing premise, the film ultimately falls short, delivering a story that feels more shallow than insightful.
The film follows a young woman (Joey King), her mother (Nicole Kidman), and her movie star boss (Zac Efron) as they become entangled in an unexpected romance that sets off a chain of comic, yet predictable, events. While the setup offers potential for humor and heart, the execution is hampered by a script that feels underdeveloped and uninspired.
Nicole Kidman, known for her ability to bring depth and nuance to any role, does her best with the material she’s given. However, her character is more of a straight-laced foil to the younger, more chaotic characters around her, and the film doesn’t allow her much room to shine. Kidman’s performance is competent, but the script fails to capitalize on her talent, leaving her role feeling underwritten.
Zac Efron, playing the charismatic movie star, is another bright spot that the film doesn’t fully utilize. Efron’s natural charm and comedic timing occasionally break through, but these moments are fleeting. Like Kidman, Efron is stuck with a character that feels more like a collection of romantic comedy clichés than a fully realized person.
Joey King, who should have been the emotional center of the film, struggles to maintain audience sympathy as her character becomes increasingly grating. What starts as a relatable young woman’s journey quickly devolves into a series of contrived situations that make it difficult to care about her supposed growth by the end of the film. The lesson her character is meant to learn feels unearned, leaving the audience disconnected from her story.
One of the film’s missed opportunities is Kathy Bates, who pops up as the grandmother in a few memorable scenes. Bates brings her usual gravitas and wit to the role, and her moments on screen are some of the film’s highlights. However, much like the rest of the cast, Bates isn’t given enough to work with. Her character feels more like an afterthought than an integral part of the story, which is a shame considering how much more she could have brought to the table.
Richard LaGravenese, who previously directed the heartfelt P.S. I Love You, seems to struggle with finding the right tone for A Family Affair. The film lacks the emotional depth and sincerity that could have made it stand out, instead settling for a formulaic approach that doesn’t do justice to its talented cast. The comedy is hit or miss, with more jokes missing the mark than landing.
In comparison to this year’s The Idea of You, a film with a similar premise starring Anne Hathaway, A Family Affair comes up short. While The Idea of You managed to infuse its romance with genuine emotion and complexity, A Family Affair feels superficial and hollow. The wasted potential is most apparent in the underutilization of its stars, particularly Kidman, Efron, and Bates.
In conclusion, A Family Affair is a forgettable entry in the romantic comedy genre. Despite a few standout moments, primarily thanks to its cast, the film fails to deliver anything more than a by-the-numbers story that will likely be quickly forgotten. Fans of the actors might find some enjoyment in their performances, but overall, this is a film that doesn’t live up to its potential.
