Cr. © 2024 Tina Rowden/Netflix
The original title of the new romantic comedy A family matter was much more daring MotherF*er, and while it is very funny in terms of the basic story of an older woman who begins an affair with her 24-year-old daughter’s young boss, a movie star, it probably raises false expectations for which is a smart, character-driven romantic comedy that features a delightful cast with a witty storyline and an engaging situation for all. The generic title goes further as the whole thing directly involves three people in a multi-generational coming-of-age tale for all in their quest for personal happiness.
Netflix actually uses that original title in its advertising for the film, calling it “A Mother’s Love Story,” and that says it all. Right after Amazon’s romantic comedy The idea of you — in which a 40-something single mother (Anne Hathaway) finds unexpected love with a 24-year-old rock superstar played by (Nicholas Galitzine) when she accompanies her teenage daughter to his band’s concert, A family matter also finds plenty of mileage in a similar configuration.
Nicole Kidman stars as Brooke Harwood, a famous author who is experiencing a lull in her career when a much younger man, action movie star Chris Cole (Zac Efron), enters her life, who is also the somewhat obnoxious and demanding boss of Brooke’s daughter Zara. She is at a frustrating point in her career, still having to cater to Cole’s every whim as his assistant and failing to climb the ladder to associate producer as he promised. Instead, he constantly threatens to fire her on the days she doesn’t threaten to quit. But life is about to get very complicated when sparks fly after a chance meeting between Chris and Zara’s mother, with whom she still lives at home.
Brooke has been a widow for 11 years and isn’t necessarily looking for love in her life. She’s wise, proud of her daughter and hopes for the best for her, but she suddenly falls for a movie star who, deep down, is seriously lacking in self-confidence. Zara is skeptical, to say the least, as she’s always had to do the dirty work in Cole’s previous relationships, which he ended up with a parting gift in the form of diamond earrings. She’s rightly worried that things will go sour with her mother, as this new relationship hits a little too close to home.
Screenwriter Carrie Solomon was about Zara’s age when she was inspired to write a screenplay about the older woman/younger man romance, a twist on the usual Hollywood older man/younger woman fare. which has long been favored in movies, or in scandalous real-life couplings like the recent May December was inspired by. Significantly, she set the film during the Christmas period, but it’s not what you’d call a “Christmas movie”, so it doesn’t really seem out of place in June, where it’s being released.
Casting for these romantic comedies is crucial, and luckily Kidman and Efron had a head start since they were cinematically involved in the very different picture, Lee Daniels’ 2012 drama. Newspaper deliverer. Here, we instantly believe in the alchemy despite the 21-year age difference between the two stars. How refreshing, too, to see Kidman, very appealing here, in a rare romantic comedy role, one that she clearly enjoys but also grounds credibly in reality. You have to believe that this pretentious, always-satisfied movie star can be legitimately attracted to his assistant’s long-suffering mother – and vice versa – and the stars make us buy it.
As for Efron, his comedic timing is perfect, particularly in his working relationship with Zara, with the two men clashing in goofy comedy fashion. King is simply terrific here, proving that she has the same impressive talents for comedy, even in some slapstick moments, as she does for more tortured dramatic roles like The act and the current We were the lucky ones.
Adding to the ensemble is the ever-reliable Kathy Bates, who appears often lately in supporting roles, this one as Brooke’s mother-in-law and editor, who offers sage advice not only to Brooke but also to her own granddaughter. A game in which Liza Koshy gets the more standard role of Zara’s best friend, but doesn’t really have the opportunity to exercise it.
Director Richard LaGravenese, best known for his screenplays including The Horse Whisperer, The Fisher King, The Bridges of Madison County, and so many others, this is one of his best efforts as a director. He expertly navigates the comedic beats of this situation, balancing the more emotional moments effectively as well. He and Solomon aren’t reinventing the wheel of romantic comedies, but they have delivered a brilliant, sophisticated entertainment for adults looking for the kind of adult film that’s increasingly rare — outside of streamers, at least, which is exactly what this is, as The idea of you, The audience is going to have to find that one. Look for it.
The producers are Joe Roth and Jeff Kirschenbaum.
Title: A family matter
Distributer: Netflix
Release date: June 28, 2024
Director: Richard LaGravenese
Scriptwriter: Carrie Salomon
Cast: Nicole Kidman, Zac Efron, Joey King, Kathy Bates, Liza Koshy
Operating time: 1h 51m
Gn entert
News Source : deadline.com
