"Friends WIth Kids" Review

Well, I have now watched this movie twice and, yes, I still really enjoy it. This movie is based in New York. The movie, of course, is "Friends With Kids," as is obvious by the poster I have posted above, which I'll be doing with every review.

This comedy stars Adam Scott as the egotistical womanizer named Jason Fryman, and Jennifer Westfeldt as Julie Keller who can never seem to get past the second date no matter now much she wants a relationship to work. Their friends are all in long term relationships, which kind of makes them the outcasts of the group (and we've all felt this at some point). Leslie (Maya Rudolph) and Alex (Chris O'Dowd) are the loving couple who are thrilled to announce their pregnancy. Missy (Kristen Wigg) and Ben (Jon Hamm) are the couple who can't seem to keep their hands off of each other. Jason and Julie both have disdain for people who bring their children to high-end restaurants, which I would agree with as far as a place like the Four Seasons goes, but not when it comes to your local McDonald's.

After about 4 years they see how having children has effected their friend's relationships and make a pact.They decide to have a child together while only remaining friends so they can avoid the toll having kids have on romantic relationships. I found this hilarious for two reasons.
1. This kind of thing would never work because of that bond two people have when they have a child, which is unavoidable;
2. To me, if you are willing to have sex with someone, there must be some kind of feelings there to begin with that would keep you commited to this kind of arrangement.

I was surprised to see that throughout this whole film Jason is 100% committed to her and their son and is actually great with children. While Julie falls apart because she can't get him to stop crying, Jason flies in and saves the day (well night considering she wakes him up in the middle of the night to come help her).  Their friends talk about how Jason and Julie didn't realize how hard having a child would be, but when they walk into Julie's apartment it's clean and beautiful, the baby is quiet, and Julie had even made quiche. Also, they are extremely happy.

The amazement  and shock is written all over their faces and I couldn't stop laughing during their visit. I know, when my sister had both of her boys that their house had boxes of diapers and bags of wipes all over the place. The house definitely wasn't what it used to be. During this visit though it is completely obvious that Jason and Julie have some chemistry, but it was something they are both choosing to ignore without even realizing it.

Now, because I am trying my best to avoid a complete spoiler I will only say that Jason meets Mary Jane (Megan Fox) and Julie meets Kurt (Edward Burns). Considering it's a parenting comedy with some romance mixed in it's completely obvious where it is going as soon as they make their pact.

On IMDB the rating was a 6.2 which, for me, I'd have to say should be a little bit higher. While it's not 10 star material by any means, the movie had me laughing and ooohing and awwing as everything unfolded. I definitely have to say Adam Scott and Jennifer Westfeldt did a great job. Their acting was definitely believable and if you forget it's just a movie you'd believe these people were actually living this life.

Now, I noticed this within the first few minutes of the movie, that most of the cast in the movie were also in "Bridesmaids" together. This had me remembering parts of that movie and laughing when I'd see certain actors like Maya Rudolph or Kristen Wigg. Kristen Wigg is always good for a laugh, but surprisingly she didn't do anything memorable besides her phenomenal break down when we realize her and Ben's relationship is obviously failing. Now, that does hit home for me since I have experienced this myself so I was almost in tears watching that.

As far as re-watching this movie, I would watch it again. It's not a movie I would watch all the time, but definitely one I would pop in on those nights where you want a semi-romantic comedy along with a pint of ice cream and a wine cooler. So, I am going to go ahead and admit that's exactly what I did the first time I watched it. "Friends With Kids" is a great movie to sit down with your beau and watch, and since it has something in it for everyone, he will enjoy it too.

Jennifer Westfeldt is witty and definitely a wonderful writer, seeing as how she directed and wrote this film. It shows us all that no one can escape when it comes to what children can do to even the most healthy of romantic relationships. I couldn't have done it better myself.