Featured Audience Ratings

• Nicki M

  
  Surprisingly, didn't mind this one. Good cast lift what is a pretty dull topic. A few laughs and a few cringes and a happy ending.

• Mark H

  
  Friends with Kids is not without its charms. Star Jennifer Westfeldt also wrote and directed. She was responsible for co-writing and co-starring in the hit independent film Kissing Jessica Stein with Heather Juergensen in 2001. Overall Westfeldt has fashioned a humorous twist on… More
  Friends with Kids is not without its charms. Star Jennifer Westfeldt also wrote and directed. She was responsible for co-writing and co-starring in the hit independent film Kissing Jessica Stein with Heather Juergensen in 2001. Overall Westfeldt has fashioned a humorous twist on modern relationships. Her non-traditional take is entertaining. She brings a vulnerability that makes her character Julie likable even when she becomes self absorbed. Her flaws seem minor when contrasted with her friend Jason. He's unapologetically arrogant. Actor Jason Scott is often typecast as unlikable types and Jason is sometimes difficult to defend here. While we never question his unfailing support toward Julie, his egotistical personality can make him a bit hard to champion over the course of an entire movie. He's not a bad person. At times his humor can be endearing. It's during those moments that we understand what Julie sees in him. Jennifer Westfeldt's reflection on adults in their late 30s and having children is just captivating enough to hold our attention. While Friends with Kids occasionally lapses into superficial and predictable situations, the way the narrative plays out is frequently funny and insightful.

• Anthony L

  
  The only thing funny in this film is Jennifer Westfeldt pretending she's in her mid thirties. Meow. Adam Scott looks evil, he has a weird 'I've just licked Dogs piss off a stinging nettle and I think I liked it' expression on his face that makes me want to throw… More
  The only thing funny in this film is Jennifer Westfeldt pretending she's in her mid thirties. Meow. Adam Scott looks evil, he has a weird 'I've just licked Dogs piss off a stinging nettle and I think I liked it' expression on his face that makes me want to throw things at it. Just when you think that this film isn't going to be the predictably horrid comedy you thought it was going to be, it does something horrible. Half a point for originality but that is all (and too generous). Chris O'Dowd disappoints me the most, be careful Chris, I'm not sure you're going down the right path. Apart from Chris O'Dowd (but including his agent), everyone involved with this production should be set on fire.

• ♥˩ƳИИ &

  
  <b><i>Friends With Kids</b></i> was a good surprise. I'm usually not a fan of rom-coms because they always have the same formula with so-so acting. This film happened to have a good script with good acting. It was smart and honest. I enjoy the type of… More
  <b><i>Friends With Kids</b></i> was a good surprise. I'm usually not a fan of rom-coms because they always have the same formula with so-so acting. This film happened to have a good script with good acting. It was smart and honest. I enjoy the type of films where you can say "yes, I've seen this couple in real life." Alex and Leslie are just like a couple I know. I've even known a Ben and Missy. So when you watch a film and see actors portray honest relationships, it makes the film that more enjoyable. I liked the relationship between Jason and Julie. I loved how open they could be with each other without feeling embarrassed. Although predictable, it was a really good movie. The film had everything working for it. The acting was really good too. The chemistry between all the actors was really strong. I even liked Megan Fox's small performance in this. I'd see this again."

• Wildaly M

  
  Funny, saucy romantic comedy with appealing, honest characters and a great script. It cannot help but have a conventional ending, but the journey there is worth watching this film.

• Candy R

  
  Interesting storyline about a group of 30 somethings who all pair off, get married and have kids. The last two singletons see how the kids have changed their friends' lives for the worse, so they decide to have a kid together but have an open dating relationship. Some laughs and… More
  Interesting storyline about a group of 30 somethings who all pair off, get married and have kids. The last two singletons see how the kids have changed their friends' lives for the worse, so they decide to have a kid together but have an open dating relationship. Some laughs and so uncomfortable moments.

• Daniel P

  
  A strong ensemble cast gives this Romantic Comedy - or whatever it is, it's marketed like a Rom-Com but then again, what isn't? - the stones required to take the risks it does, and overall it pays off. And though a lot of similar movies don't work for me - Beautiful… More
  A strong ensemble cast gives this Romantic Comedy - or whatever it is, it's marketed like a Rom-Com but then again, what isn't? - the stones required to take the risks it does, and overall it pays off. And though a lot of similar movies don't work for me - Beautiful Girls comes immediately to mind - this film walks the line well, exploring an uncomfortable idea: that it's not actually possible to be a couple and be parents, you have to pick one. There isn't a lot of humour, but it's found in some dark places, and though it stays above the surface for the most part - flipping between five couples over the course of the film, it can't dig too deep - the writing is solid and the dialogue mercilessly cuts to the heart of the issues, and the film unflinchingly stares down the utter messiness of real life. I was especially impressed with the leads' performances, Adam Scott and writer/director Jennifer Westfeldt. I'm excited to see what she does next, especially if she can get a bigger budget; my one knock on the movie is that it looked a little too TV.

• Cynthia S

  
  While there's nothing about this movie that I haven't seen in other romantic comedies about parenting, this is still a really enjoyable film with great characters, and realistic relationship issues. In my opinion, the two leads had great chemistry. The rest of the cast I… More
  While there's nothing about this movie that I haven't seen in other romantic comedies about parenting, this is still a really enjoyable film with great characters, and realistic relationship issues. In my opinion, the two leads had great chemistry. The rest of the cast I found very enjoyable, also. Overall, this just doesn't seem nearly as stale as many other romantic comedies that I've seen recently. I was very pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this movie.

• Carlos M

  
  It is frustrating to see this intriguing idea and a smart first half lead to a predictable and moralist message about love and the "importance of family" when it comes to having kids - something so cliché that bogs down the whole potential of its premise.

• Spencer S

  
  Jennifer Westfeldt deals with the complexities of waylaid human emotions in situations that are less than ideal. In her acclaimed "Kissing Jessica Stein" she covers the unorthodox concept of a straight woman beginning a lesbian relationship after falling for another woman.… More
  Jennifer Westfeldt deals with the complexities of waylaid human emotions in situations that are less than ideal. In her acclaimed "Kissing Jessica Stein" she covers the unorthodox concept of a straight woman beginning a lesbian relationship after falling for another woman. Westfeldt always uses unusual social situations that turn out to be effective in social relationships years later, and really examines the complexities of human emotions within them. Yet again much of the dialogue, character development, and plot revolves around a single extraordinary set of circumstances. What makes this film so much more heartfelt than her magnum opus is the fact that there is great character development. The cast is much bigger and brighter than she's used to, reusing much of the "Bridesmaids" cast for a really genuine environment for the characters to interact, friendships to bloom, and drama to enfold. Westfeldt herself and Party Down's Adam Scott play friends who plan to have a child together and forgo the awfulness that marriage entails. Of course the concept is flawed by their own reluctance at revealing their true feelings for one another and it's uncomfortable throughout these bitter arguments and awkward moments. I found the situations that Westfeldt puts these people into to be meaningful and thoughtfully done. There is a bit of comedy but it's based in life, especially the family situations of their friends. Their couple friends are played by Kristen Wiig and Jon Hamm as a couple without much recourse for a broken marriage (a darker role for Wiig) and Chris O'Dowd (The IT Crowd) and Maya Rudolph as a happily married couple with two kids who are overwhelmed yet truly in love. The film explores the different kinds of families that exist, and looks at two truly screwed up adults who don't seem to understand themselves, let alone their capacity for love. It's a very beautifully made and thought film that examines, yet again, a greater issue with humility and humor.

• Liam G

  
  It suffers from an inconsistent tone and rushed character development, however ''Friends with Kids'' is charming and funny enough to make it mildly enjoyable.

• Everett J

  
  What starts out like a fresh, funny adult comedy, quickly turns into a cliched romantic comedy with very little heart. Move is about 3 couples who are best friends. Two of the couples are married and have children, while the other two(Adam Scott and Jennifer Westfeldt) are single… More
  What starts out like a fresh, funny adult comedy, quickly turns into a cliched romantic comedy with very little heart. Move is about 3 couples who are best friends. Two of the couples are married and have children, while the other two(Adam Scott and Jennifer Westfeldt) are single with no kids. Well one day they decide they are going to have a kid together, and be responsible/loving parents, without all the drama that comes with a marriage. The performances are all decent(not great), but I was very disappointed with the lack of Kristen Wiig. She is hilarious, but here just juts cries and honestly does very little during the movie. A big chuck of the "Bridesmaids" cast is here, but this is nowhere near the greatness that was achieved with that flick. Scott and Westfeldt have good chemistry, but the writing just doesn't do them justice. On the bright side, there are a few very funny scenes, mostly with Chris O'Dowd and Maya Rudolph. Westfeldt wrote and directed, but I think in the hands of a better director, this could have been better and the story maybe fresher. Seen a lot worse, but if you want to watch a good adult dramady, then you can certainly do much better. My wife actually managed to stay awake through the entire thing, but even she said "meh, that was just ok".

• KJ P

  
  With an all-star cast and a creative take on a romantic story, "Friends With Kids" showed real promise. Throughout the film, it hits the plot points that you would expect, but the story is very clever and makes you forgive. However, the dialogue i s a little too bland for… More
  With an all-star cast and a creative take on a romantic story, "Friends With Kids" showed real promise. Throughout the film, it hits the plot points that you would expect, but the story is very clever and makes you forgive. However, the dialogue i s a little too bland for the great actors in this film, and the final act is far too predictable that I was starting to get pissed off. So, as two friends both want kids, they watch their paired up friends get married and have children of their own, which sparks an idea that they might as well have sex as friends and raise the child as "kind of divorced parents," but love each other as friends. The concept is delivered with a certain sweetness in this film, but overall, it comes off as a bit lack-luster. I wanted so much more from this film. Overall, the acting is great, the story is intriguing, and the humour adds quite a bit to the film, but the film takes a big turn for the worse that really had me shaking my head. After the film ends, you will say that this film is okay at best! I really really enjoyed watching the first half though!

• Manu G

  
  Love. Happiness. Kids. Pick two. Good movie. The plot is a little slow but for me it was interesting to see what was gonna happen and at few times it was funny. It's not for everyone so don't be expecting too much out of it. Two best friends decide to have a child together… More
  Love. Happiness. Kids. Pick two. Good movie. The plot is a little slow but for me it was interesting to see what was gonna happen and at few times it was funny. It's not for everyone so don't be expecting too much out of it. Two best friends decide to have a child together while keeping their relationship platonic, so they can avoid the toll kids can take on romantic relationships.

• Lorenzo v

  
  <i>"Love. Happiness. Kids. Pick two."</i> Two best friends decide to have a child together while keeping their relationship platonic, so they can avoid the toll kids can take on romantic relationships. <center><font size=+2 face="Century… More
  <i>"Love. Happiness. Kids. Pick two."</i> Two best friends decide to have a child together while keeping their relationship platonic, so they can avoid the toll kids can take on romantic relationships. <center><font size=+2 face="Century Schoolbook"><b><u>REVIEW</u></b></font></center> When does a film whose ending is a foregone conclusion fit snugly in the romantic dramedy genre? When it's called Friends with Kids, a witty, poignant, and expertly acted dramatic comedy whose only weakness is to catch the patterns of life so well that it can't claim originality but rather the charm of nailing our many flawed approaches to love. Jason (Adam Scott) and Julie (Jennifer Westfeldt, doing an excellent job of directing and writing) are best friends who decide to make their own baby while still being in the market for love. The many complications are only too apparent to their friends, who have babies of their own, but who are amazed at how well this exceptional couple have handled sharing the baby while still being "single".When the friends get together for dinner, the sparks and dialogue fly off the screen in a reprisal of '30's and '40's screwball comedy, where no human being could capture all the dialogue that randomly races around the table The moments of clarity are many, but the best would have to be at a dinner when Ben (John Hamm) drunkenly tells Jason how unrealistic his dream of parental singularity is given the needs of the child years from now when it tries to figure out the relationship between love and his parents' conceiving him without it. Ben's retort about his deep respect and affection for Julie completes a dialogue that Plato would have loved. Those moments of truth mingled with the joys of being young parents, and the difficulties therein, are what give this ensemble cred for spot-on performances, for knowing that bringing up baby is not always fun but has the heft of integrity and sincerity about it. While the expected ending comes a bit too slowly, I felt the ring of truth in players being uncertain what path to take and changing their minds appropriately. As all parents know, it's rough out there.

• Michael S

  
  A rather slight comedy but a consistently authentic and likable one. Director/ star Jennifer Westfeldt ("Kissing Jessica Stein") and Adam Scott are two very strong, atypical leads and are supported by an impressive ensemble including Jon Hamm, Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph,… More
  A rather slight comedy but a consistently authentic and likable one. Director/ star Jennifer Westfeldt ("Kissing Jessica Stein") and Adam Scott are two very strong, atypical leads and are supported by an impressive ensemble including Jon Hamm, Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Chris O'Dowd, and Edward Burns. It may not be the most original or even unpredictable of romantic comedies, but it's charm and humor should win just about anyone over.

• Kase V

  
  A brilliantly executed romantic comedy that is as funny as it is honest. The cast is amazing in each in every role, and you can't help but love the mini-Bridesmaids reunion. Writer-Director-Star Jennifer Westfeltd's talent is obvious, and she pours great charm and wit into… More
  A brilliantly executed romantic comedy that is as funny as it is honest. The cast is amazing in each in every role, and you can't help but love the mini-Bridesmaids reunion. Writer-Director-Star Jennifer Westfeltd's talent is obvious, and she pours great charm and wit into the hilarious and poignant script. This is a rom-com done right.

• Julie B

  
  I had somehow thought this was a bit more of a serious flick, but it's actually just a sweet, well-acted rom-com.

• danny d

  
  an amazing cast takes a serious dump. the film was not what it should have been. it looked like a film about 6 friends played by interesting actors, but it was a film about 2 people who happened to be played by the least interesting of the actors and the other 4 more interesting… More
  an amazing cast takes a serious dump. the film was not what it should have been. it looked like a film about 6 friends played by interesting actors, but it was a film about 2 people who happened to be played by the least interesting of the actors and the other 4 more interesting performers played nothing more than background archetypes thrown in to propel stereotypical circumstance in an attempt to bolster the story line. the cast was wasted. it looked to be about parenthood and family, but it was just a romance story about two fickle adults and the family story lines were relegated to mere examples of why the screen writer (westfeldt) finds family to be nothing more than a burden. it looked like a dramedy, but was more drama/romance as it wasnt very funny. it looked to be a story about love, but the love presented here is such a twisted version of the real thing. if this had been a film about 6 people doing life together, it might have worked, but as it is its nothing more than a critique of the life some of us actually enjoy with a few subtle shots of religious bigotry thrown in.

• The Movie W

  
  Hot on the heels of "Your Sister's Sister" comes another tale of irresponsible parenting. We've seen plenty of movies based on the theme of friendships turning emotional but never one with such a downright stupid hook on which to hang it's otherwise cliched… More
  Hot on the heels of "Your Sister's Sister" comes another tale of irresponsible parenting. We've seen plenty of movies based on the theme of friendships turning emotional but never one with such a downright stupid hook on which to hang it's otherwise cliched plot. The major problem with this latest effort is that only the most naive and immature of viewers could possibly agree with the actions of Westfeldt and Scott. There are supporting characters who are demonised for speaking sense and daring to point out how reckless the protagonists lifestyle choice is. Fox and Burns occupy the roles of competing suitors and are the only two likable and remotely intelligent people in the story.Even if this movie were actually funny, which it certainly isn't, the fact that a child's life is being messed with would still be a stumbling block. Westfeldt seems to have some strange middle class liberal fantasy when it comes to parenthood. Her character seems perfectly able to live in a large Manhattan apartment, raise a child and go on dates in restaurants every other night, all while seemingly not holding down a job of any sort. We also never get to see her looking remotely pregnant and seems to have her Hollywood figure return immediately after popping out the unfortunate sprog. As wretched as the "Sex & the City" phenomenon was, at least it's character's shallowness never stooped to the desire for a "trophy child". Ultimately "Friends With Kids" leaves you pondering just how maladjusted Westfeldt and Scott's son will turn out to be. I suspect you could view "We Need To Talk About Kevin" as this movie's sequel.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings