Friends With Kids

I had such high hopes for this film. Maybe because four key players from Bridesmaids (Kristin Wiig, Jon Hamm, Maya Rudolph and Chris O'Dowd) are in it. Maybe it was the set up — two friends deciding to have a kid thinking that by not getting married they'd be happier. They believe this because of the way their friends' lives negatively changed after getting married and having kids. The idea is replete with comedic yet thought-provoking moments. I wanted this to be rolling on the floor funny. I left thinking that my husband would have given me hell had I dragged him to this.


Learn more about the movie at friendswithkids.com.

The plot is far fetched, as typical in romantic comedies. It's a cute movie at times, but I couldn't get over the overly flat, unemotional behavior between these two best friends (Jennifer Westfeldt and Adam Scott) who are having a baby together. It mostly felt awkward - maybe that was intentional. Some plot points felt forced or coming from nowhere. Oh, there are some funny parts via sex & marriage jokes, but those were counterbalanced with gratuitous gross out scenes (baby poop & porn) and stretches of wanting to check the time on my phone. Did I mention I LOVED Bridesmaids? That was perfect gross out done well for any audience. But Friends With Kids just never hit that type of groove or pacing. It wasn't terrible, it just seems like it could have been so much better. And some of the lines...well, let's just say the end tries so hard to not be clichéd that it end up an eye roller. Westfeldt, who wrote, directed and starred in the movie, might have had too much on her plate. I commend her, though, for trying a different take on the clichéd romantic comedy.

The movie is definitely more of a mom's night out, one where friends can commiserate after. Yes, sex life definitely changes. Yes, kids can mean messy houses, stupid arguments and late starts to dinner parties. Yes, sometimes it does look like divorced people have it easy because there seemingly are two households who divide the work and care for the kid(s). Talking to divorced friends, I know this isn't true. Anyway, I just don't see guys appreciating being dragged to this one. It's one of those, as Benny & Joon was to my husband, a movie to be teased about wanting to see for a very long time. Plus, you'll owe him a few terrible guy movies.

The movie is rated R for sexual content and language. I give it a D+/C- overall. Get cocktails before. I wish I did. I'm sure it'll make the experience funnier.