Friends with Kids

Two friends decide to have a child without thinking of the repercussions...

A couple of friends who have known each other since they were 19 decide to have a child together but keep their friendship completely platonic, so as not to suffer the effects that they consider having children can have on a relationship.

"Jason" and "Julie" have no interest in each other, but find the idea of having a child in their mid thirties appealing. They see their other married friends going through the trials and tribulations which children bring and strains it takes on their relationships, feeling it is not for them. They simply have a child and then go back to dating other people, while managing to be really good parents and still maintaining a good friendship.

As their son grows older, and the relationships of their friends start falling apart, their feelings for each other increase; unfortunately never at the same time. In time, their not being together causes issues and they see each other only in passing. It seems to be all over, but the child has other ideas...

It's hard to really describe this film, other than "Superbad" meets a Romance, but somehow Director, writer and lead actress, Jennifer Westfeldt, has done a remarkable job of bringing a really good romantic film, with some truly filthy humour, to the big screen. With a cast containing four of the actors who we saw in "Bridesmaids" in 2011, this film was going to be very hit and miss, but this time, they manage to actually be funny, and it makes for a very enjoyable movie!

Adam Scott as "Jason" and Jennifer Westfeldt as "Julie", together are an almost perfect combination for a romantic film. The attraction in the air is palpable, despite them trying to play this down the entire movie, but it's cute, quirky and downright hillarious in places, as the script follows none of the conventions we all know of romcoms. This film skates along the edges of respectability, its humour often from the gutter, but very funny indeed. This couple makes a great pair and I look forward to seeing them together again really soon.

Kristin Wiig and Ben Hamm rekindle their relationship from "Bridesmaids", this time only slightly less dysfunctional than in their last outing. Their roles as "Missy" and "Ben" are emotional and not too funny, but well acted and enjoyable to watch; especially during the meltdown of a relationship based purely on the physical.

Maya Rudolph as "Leslie" and Chris O'Dowd (rather better known for his exploits in the IT Crowd)  as "Alex" are a fantastic combination as a couple, always fighting, but bringing a lot of the best laughs and most tender moments to the film and making this a lot more enjoyable. O'Dowd has made a great jump to the big screen, but it was really weird to hear the Irishman with an American accent. Next time he hopefully sticks to his regular dulcet tones.

Megan Fox also makes an appearance in this one and does well in a role which requires absolutely no acting skills. She gets to look pretty, act like a petulant child and pull faces, so this is almost a perfect role for her. On the other hand, Ed Burns, plays the role of "Kurt", a single dad on the rebound with aplomb, and gives the audience somebody to root for.

This is a really nice and enjoyable, feel good film, which will have the audience cringing in places, but rolling about in the aisles at other times. The tempo is great, the laughs in all the right places and there is enough emotion to keep any romance fan on the edge of their seats. It may be like no other rom-com you have ever seen before, but give it a chance and it may well grow on you.

7/10