There are movies about the beginning of happy relationships and movies about their bitter or tragic disintegration. Very few, however, focus on the in-between time, where work, kids, and moments of mid-life desperation can make even the most committed relationships miserable.

That’s what makes “The Kids Are All Right” such a rare and special film. It doesn’t treat its characters like ethically-depraved monsters or moralistic fairy tale royalty. It’s funny, superbly acted and unexpectedly real in even its most sitcom-y plot twists.

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