Strong ensemble cast and solid screenplay: The Kids Are All Right

"The Kids Are All Right" is not the kind of film I'd ordinarily see or even like but I have to admire how well made and well done this movie is - a rare example in today's world of craftsmanship and seemingly of teamwork: strong ensemble cast, well directed, sold screenplay, no pretensions, the film never calls attention to itself or wallows in technique - just a story about a family that is seemingly unconventional family (two lesbian moms with their two kids born one to each from same sperm donor) that really at base is entirely conventional, one partner a bit of a straightarrow overachiever and the other a nonachiever, stay-at-home, less bound by convention sexually and parentally - story takes place at time of crisis as older child (daughter) turns 18 ready for college and she and brother look up id of donor dad, then build a relation with him and he insinuates himself into the lives of the family in very damaging ways, which they rise above. High praise for Mark Ruffalo who plays the donor dad with cool insouciance. Julianne Moore and Annnette Benning play the moms very well - the don't overplay - Benning gets the better role, teetering on alcoholism, a long dinner in which she bonds with Ruffalo and sings Joni Mitchell and then all falls apart. She may get an Oscar for it. Daughter played by girl who starred in The Lovely Bones, and she deserves this chance to be in a good movie. Anyone else, by the way, getting annoyed at how the go-to occupation for dozens of movies all of a sudden is restaurateur, with a 2nd place going to landscape gardener? This movie has both.