The latest Netflix rom-com, A Family Affair, is now available for streaming. Should you give it a watch?
A Family Affair is a very racy story that shall cover romantic connections, bonds created to nurture love as well as address family feuds using three top stars. This film promises to be interesting given it features such personalities as Nicole Kidman (The Oscar-winning actress) who once shared screen space with Zac Efron on ‘The Paperboy,’-which was released in 2012 and Joey King who has become famous after featuring as Elle in Netflix’s The Kissing Booth trilogy (2018-2021) – which is also known as a romantic comedy film series produced by Netflix.
Kidman and Efron have previously appeared in Netflix films such as Kidman’s role in The Prom (2020) alongside Oscar winner Meryl Streep, and Efron’s portrayal in the Ted Bundy docudrama Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil And Vile (2019).
Richard LaGravenese who directed Freedom Writers and P.S. I Love You, is at the helm, and it’s written by Carrie Solomon. It follows Zara Ford, 24-year-old Hollywood assistant (played by King) in an odyssey. As a franchise movie actor coldly driven by his inner egotism, Chris Cole, Zara’s boss, piles upon his personal assistant, Zara, with endless requests and workloads.
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”After too many hours and bad treatment at work and with no signs her career would improve she resigns for fresh pastures.” She resigned from a big international company last week after working there for six years. ArchivesManager Zara left a highly paid INTERNATIONAL company last week where she was employed for five years.
Trying something new is what she requires now as she feels exhausted by poor working conditions but does not want this feeling to happen again during her next job– so further study could be considered. Knowing how much importance she holds on his life both personally and professionally however chris hurries back home in order to seek forgiveness from zara as well as persuade her into coming back. Little did he know that upon arrival at her residence in an affluent neighborhood nestled within one among America’s first cities would be none other than her own mother Brooke Harwood – a brilliant writer who had lost her husband about ten years ago?’
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Zara had not yet come back. During that time, Chris and Brooke became closer over tequila shots. They talked about their saddest experiences, and then, they went on to lighter topics including some aspects of Greek myths before eventually having a very personal moment with each other. At some point though as they were still talking Zara who was not expected returned. This caused her to start demanding that he should not talk to each other anymore
In spite of Zara’s protests, Chris and Brooke disregard her objections as well as carry on with their new relationship secretly. On the other hand, Zara steps into the position of an Associate Producer in Chris’ next franchise’s mega hit. Consequently, things get rather intricate when they start mingling and thus they all have to take pragmatic steps and think outside the box in order to come up with a solution which does not solely take care of their personal yearnings.
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The movie is marketed as a comedy and sexy film but the director, Richard LaGravenese called it “a coming-of-age story for three characters at different stages of their lives,” according to a statement made during an interview with Tudum. A Family Affair maintains typical Rom-Com elements that are effective. However, the story progress is about character growth as portrayed towards unfolding vulnerability, heart and warmth that creeps in slowly.
It is ironic how the movie advocates against selfish conduct while relying on actors who act selfishly.” If not for that big three (not forgetting the possibility of a cameo stealing from one of them) it would have been chaos but not today. Nicole Kidman, in particular, seems remarkably reserved and real- quite contrary to her usual parts. Against the backdrop of his fresh-faced charisma, her performance comes out so controlledly together with Efron’s
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Kathy Bates is a seasoned Oscar winner, recognized for her roles in ” Misery ” and “Fried Green Tomatoes”, in which she portrays the character Leila, she is the grandmother of Zara as well as Brooke’s supportive mother-in-law and editor in literature. Bates has given to the story Maternal love and wise feminine counsel, which would have made this one of these overused romantic plots into something sophisticated. Zara acts unstable but Katie seems stable; the latter’s presence brings in warmth, humor “Meanwhile her work”; it is Bates’s way that has turned those ordinary words.
Sherry Cola (a beloved but often under-used actress appearing in movies like ‘Joy Ride’ and ‘Shortcomings’), in the role of Stella—Zara’s colleague—is really convincing in her performance. Liza Koshy of the popular movie, “Players”, plays Eugenie Zara’s fidus &cia which assists Zara realize several issues facing her life along the narration line. ‘A Family Affair’ is marketed as a rom-com but it is beyond that because we have people like Sherry Cola and other members from the cast who actually bring coming-of-age stories to life os it is not really considered to be a romantic comedy.
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Who would have thought that Nicole Kidman and Zac Efron have such an amazing chemistry between them that also includes a sense of motherly love? Joey King is good at changing her characters, from those who have not yet matured to others that direct movies. Kathy Bates always brings out the best in any movie she appears in through her strong acting skills that make viewers feel the presence of love and touch. Although there are times in between when it turns out funny or sexy, this movie like many others before captures many souls due to its deep contemplation on love and living at various points.
The movie is significantly improved by having another Oscar Awardee like Kathy Bates in the cast. Her performance as Leila injects maternal and feminine instincts into the story because she is a grandmother to Zara and mother-in-law as well as editor of books by Brooke. She helps Brooke when she has any problems, while keeping Zara safe from uncertainties of life.
Sherry Cola, famous for her captivating part in ‘Joy Ride’ as well as in just ‘Shortcomings’, does a great job of embodying Stella who is a writer friend of Zara while Liza Koshy who played in ‘Players’ appears equally shining as Eugenie Zara’s bestie-in-chief. They manage to capture different crucial periods during Zara’s experiences together.
Photo Credit : Nicole Kidman as Brooke Harwood and Zac Efron as Chris Cole in A Family Affair. Cr. Tina Rowden/Netflix
On the whole, there are some scenes where overly-romantic antics might seem to prevail but this movie survives it due to the strong performance of its actors which ultimately adds substance to both the plot and people behind them; moreover, Nicole Kidman and Zac Efron really form a convincing couple which goes along with some motherly undertones.
Joey King impressively takes on the part, showing both young inexperience and guidance of a mentor in a way that needs to be celebrated. Always spot-on, no matter what she is doing in any of the scenes she has appeared as such. occasinally failing to make a joke or be erotic in its nature but ultimately outstanding because of its sincerity about life and feelings at different periods.
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MVP of ‘A Family Affair’
Kathy Bates as Leila Ford
When the film comes out, Kathy Bates’ birthday is 76 and she is a fantastic actress with a lot of acting experience. Her acting career has been going on for 35 years and she has won an Oscar for her role as a caregiver in ‘Misery’ and Emmy Awards for others. She’s an outstanding example of a character actor as she is famous for her ability to play various roles convincingly.
Kathy Bates is no longer just known for her various parts within Ryan Murphy productions, but has ventured into something new by depicting Leila Ford in the movie ‘A Family Affair’ whereby she utilizes some of the skills acquired during her acting career especially from ‘Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret’ in order to come up with a personage overflowing with insightful advice-giving characteristics.
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She is simply there for other lead persons of the opposing gender, offering them moral support through smooth talking and a look that says, ‘Don’t worry. Everything will be just fine.’ In this particular movie, it is impossible not to marvel at Bates’ performance which constantly makes viewers believe that she is playing more than one role at a time.
3/5
OK
Nicole Kidman, Zac Efron, and Regina King may stand out but with a standout performance from Kathy Bates, ‘A Family Affair’ unofficially joins them with an emotional narrative which speaks to the inner child within every adult who might have forgotten how it is like being young.Although they don’t steal focus entirely, this trio still manages to captivate us nonetheless: even though we have seen many comedies before now; this one goes above offering just your typical love story with some humour.