Life is messy. Sometimes the best of intentions and the highest hopes just aren't enough. I enjoy movies that are not afraid to show the reality of "mess". FRIENDS WITH KIDS is a new comedy from writer/director Jennifer Westfeldt. In the wake of their friends' marriages and eventual offspring, longtime pals Julie (Jennifer Westfeldt) and Jason (Adam Scott) decide to have a child together without becoming a couple. By becoming "time-share" parents, they reason, they can experience the joys of parenthood without significantly curbing their personal freedom. However, when julie and Jason both become involved with others, each discovers they secretly harbor romantic feelings for one another. At the same time, we are given glimpses into the couples that surround them who discover that "family" life isn't everything they dreamed it would be. What I appreciated the most about this film, besides the terrific performances, is the bravery to point out that sometimes marriage sucks. Sometimes having that child that you dreamed about creates nothing but discord and disappointment. Life is not always a Woody Allen film. And with apologies to Woody, one of my very few issues with his films is that you seldom see "mess". The Cast is splendid. Jennifer Westfeldt should be a bigger star. Period. Adam Scott gives a breakthrough performance here that solidifies him as an up and coming leading man. Maya Rudolph is terrific as a mother unafraid to show the crazy side of parenthood. Jon Hamm doesn't have a lot to do until one sensational scene at a dinner table where he has one too many scotches and unleashes some cold hard truths. Kristen Wiig is simply so talented that I don't think we have seen the tip of what she can do yet. I was surprisingly quite moved by FRIENDS WITH KIDS. I was completely invested in the characters and situations. By the final scene, it didn't bother me that it was a typical Hollywood ending. I cared about the main couple and was rooting for a resolution that would send me out of the theater smiling. And it did.
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