Ron Gilbert

Los Angeles Film Festival Lights up HollywoodDowntown

A crystal clear night set inthe backdrop of the Staples Center where the LA Lakers came out on top in the NBAFinals

LAFF brought out the starsboth in the sky and on the red carpet on the opening night screening of “TheKids are All Right” at the Regal Cinemas. Director Lisa Cholodenko hascreated a comedy which deals with parenthood in this day and age which hastaken on a whole new twist and both gay and heterosexual audiences will havesomething to smile about. Nic (Annette Bening )and Jules (Julianne Moore )arethe significant others  who have raisedtwo children  Joni (Mia Wasikowska)  and Laser (Josh Hutcherson). Life in the household seems to be just fineuntil Joni decides to seek out their biological father and the sperm donor isPaul (Mark Ruffalo). Cholodenko has made an inspirational film with thisamazing cast and her timing is right on with the gay marriage issue which hasbeen in the headlines. She always seems to come upwith stories as she did in the past with her films “Laurel Canyon” and “High Art” that really dig intoreal life in Los Angeles. Her collaborating writer Stuart Blumberg has addedelements that will touch everyone emotionally. Stuart informed me that thetitle of the film came from the documentary on music for the infamous group“The Who” which was directed by Jeff Stein. He and Lisa blended storieshypothetically of what would happen if a situation like this would arise andwhat would be the results. Audiences will be sharing this when the film opens