Coffee And A Movie: A Family Affair

 

A movie that doesn't sound like it would work, but totally, sort of does.

Nicole Kidman. Zac Efron. Kathy Bates. These names don't typically go together in anyone's dream casting, right? At least not mine. Let me tell you, though. They sure do have some chemistry together in A Family Affair. Not just romantically, either. This movie is funny. It really is!

This gem just dropped on Netflix a few days ago (June 28th to be exact) and the trailer had me interested. The plot goes like this: A young(ish) celebrity by the name of Chris Cole (Efron) is so helpless in the real world due to all the paparazzi and hindrances that come with fame. He can't go anywhere, he can't do anything "normal" people could do. So, he has his assistant do everything for him. Tasks such as grocery shopping, laundry, and all the mundane things you WISH you could have someone do for you. You know, without the millions of cameras being shoved in your face for TMZ to get their hands on. He's stuck type-cast role of a big action star and really fits the part. He's crazy narcissistic, super into himself, and a womanizer for sure. Efron makes Chris Cole seem rather believable. To an extent, that is.

His assistant, played by Joey King, is a 20-some aspiring producer trying to get ahead in the world starting with her current gig. Living under the pressure of living with her world famous mother (Kidman), she is struggling to branch out on her own. Under the employment of Chris Cole, she finds herself unhappy with doing those mundane tasks every day and after feeling like she isn't respected or taken seriously, she decides to leave.

Her mother (Kidman) is a writer. Writing for all the major publications as well as her own material, got herself to a somewhat glamourous life. After the death of her husband, she hasn't really been searching for love. This all comes crashing down once Chris Cole comes into her life. After her daughter's recent unemployment, she meets Chris and they end up having some sparks for each other. A lot of sparks.

The plot of the movie isn't anything mind blowing and is surely whacky to be fair but it makes up for it by all the cast being able to pull off their respective roles pretty well. Heck, they even have Kathy Bates being Kidman's mother and it is IMPOSSIBLE to not like her. I really didn't think the cast would have as much believability or comedic timing as they did since, as I mentioned before, the casting just sounds absurd. What kind of movie could they all make? It does go into the "not really relatable to me" territory pretty much the whole time as I don't feel many of us are living with a super successful writer parent who, by happenstance, is now dating a celebrity 20 years younger than them. If you are though, well, take advantage. Really.

Just because it wasn't super relatable does not mean it's bad. I laughed out loud on more than one occasion and was even relatively satisfied with how everything came together in the end. You feel some conflict as you're introduced to the characters initially and aren't expecting real development but there actually is. You end up (at least I did) rooting for things you sort of normally wouldn't. Since it's not a normal rom-com it's absolutely alright to not feel like you have a connection with the main characters anyway. It's about the jokes, it's about the random but effective emotion. The movie delivers this for the most part. Joey King is great as a disgruntled employee and daughter. Zac Efron's delivery of little lines are hilarious and Nicole Kidman's aloof and recklessness are all used at the best of times. 

The movie does fall short of being a classic masterpiece as the "random emotion" and some best friend arcs (Liza Koshy plays that part!) feel pretty misplaced or belong in a different movie entirely. It's not any of the cast's fault but just feels...off? They're meant to give substance, sure, but I feel they don't really add much to the overall theme of the movie. Again, not the biggest dealbreaker but could have been improved on tremendously. Remember though, this isn't Casablanca

A Family Affair won't be your favorite movie of the year. But for now, make it your first good watch of the Summer. If you have seen this in passing, watched the trailer, or had second thoughts, whatever it may be, put it on your list. It's worth the watch for when you want to shut off your brain and enjoy a chuckle or two.