A Family Affair (2024) Review!!

Synopsis – An unexpected romance triggers comic consequences for a young woman, her mother, and her boss, grappling with the complications of love, sex, and identity.

My Take – With the recently released The Idea of You (2024), starring Anne Hathaway as a 40-year-old woman who begins a whirlwind romance with a young pop idol played by Nicholas Galitzine, attracting nearly 50 million worldwide viewers in its first two weeks on Prime Video, becoming Amazon MGM‘s No. 1 romantic-comedy debut of all time, last weekend saw their biggest competitor throw their own age-gap film into the mix.

Reuniting Zac Efron with his The Paper Boy (2012) co-star Nicole Kidman, and adding in Netflix‘s beloved rom com actress Joey King to create an unconventional love triangle.

But while the Michael Showalter directorial greatly was anchored by a script that was attempting to be more of a mature drama, trying its best to break free from the general clichés associated, this latest Richard LaGravenese (P.S. I Love You, Beautiful Creatures) directorial is more reliant on the formula of the genre.

Resulting in a decent and uncomplicated rom com that will probably forgotten by this time next month. Written by newcomer screenwriter Carrie Solomon, the film works more like a nostalgic journey back to the 90s, filled with heartwarming moments and a touch of classic charm.

Yes, it is predictable and is not the most groundbreaking or thought-provoking film you’ll ever see, it’s a charming and enjoyable experience that’s perfect for a relaxing evening. It’s a film that celebrates the simple joys of life, and acts as a reminder that sometimes, a lighthearted story and likable performances are all you need to be truly entertained.

The story Zara (Joey King), a long-suffering 24-year-old personal assistant to Chris Cole (Zac Efron), a semi-narcissistic film star. Zara puts up with unreasonable demands, constant threats of being fired, and helping him break up with countless women because Chris has promised her help becoming a producer. And when one day, Chris takes things too far, and Zara quits.

However, Chris resolves to get her back the very next day. He shows up unannounced at the lavish Los Angeles home where Zara lives with and ends up connecting with her mother Brooke (Nicole Kidman), a celebrated author who lost her husband over a decade ago, but hasn’t dated anybody since. Soon, a bottle of tequila is opened, pasts are discussed, and one thing leads to another.

Unfortunately, Zara walks in on them in bed, and is understandably aghast. But while Chris and Brooke confirm a strong mutual attraction to one another. But knowing Chris’s history with woman, Zara wants to protect her mother from becoming yet another in a long line of broken hearts.

What follows is the familiar opposites attract that also manages to address things like finding love when you’re older. Wanting to be seen as a woman, not just a parent. Struggling to see beyond your own legitimate frustrations and worries.

The themes and stories presented in this film were thoughtful without being heavy and without interfering with the overall fun of a pretty standard rom-com. Although there are moments when the film goes big with expensive dinners and private studio tours and an adorably quirky third-act gesture, the main relationship is generally pitched as a slow-burn love affair, not an impassioned fling.

However, where the film would have been way better if it focused on Brooke and Chris’ internal struggles rather than the petty journey of Zara, who demands to run a major film star’s production company despite having no prior experience and nothing but occasional opinions, and shames her mother for sleeping with someone younger than her.The whole set up is about Zara’s journey into adulthood, as she decides what she wants to do with her life.

However, despite King‘s effort, it’s hard to root for her when she is the most unlikable character in the film until the very end. Also, the naughtiness of going behind your daughter’s back to sleep with her hunky A-list actor boss is surprisingly played straight, demanding the audience take its absurd chain of events seriously.

On the other hand, Nicole Kidman, a timeless beauty, brings yet another captivating turn that effortlessly transports you to a simpler time. Her on-screen presence is radiant, and she effortlessly embodies the spirit of her role. Zac Efron shines as the love interest, managing to strike a perfect balance of someone who is used to being catered to but who wants to be taken seriously both in the industry and in this relationship.

Nevertheless, the scene-stealer of the film is Kathy Bates‘ Leila, Brooke’s mother-in-law and Zara’s grandmother. There’s a warmth in Bates’ performance that is sorely lacking in the rest of the film, channeling part of what made her also grandmotherly role in Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret (2023) so special.

It doesn’t hurt that film also makes a sly nod to her iconic turn in Misery (1990). Liza Koshy as Zara’s best friend is decent in a supporting role. On the whole, ‘A Family Affair’ is a light romantic comedy that charms despite its missteps.