Friends with Kids Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Two commitment-phobes decide to have a baby to prove they can handle responsibility, but end up proving they can’t even handle their own feelings.

🍿 Friends with Kids: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Pact: A Child, But No Relationship

Julie and Jason, longtime best friends, observe the struggles of their married friends raising children. They decide to have a child together, committing to co-parenting without romantic involvement. Their aim is to avoid the pitfalls they’ve witnessed, believing they can maintain their individual romantic pursuits while raising a child as platonic partners. This unconventional arrangement sets the stage for the challenges and unexpected turns that follow.

Dating and Discontent

As they navigate their new co-parenting reality, Julie and Jason attempt to date other people. Jason finds a connection with Mary Jane, a dancer who isn’t seeking motherhood. Julie, however, struggles to find a compatible partner until she meets Kurt, a divorced father. Their respective relationships bring new dynamics into their shared lives, testing the boundaries of their platonic agreement and forcing them to confront their own feelings.

Cracks in the Foundation

The friends’ dynamics are further complicated by a ski trip, where long-held resentments and unspoken truths surface. Ben, one of their married friends, confronts Jason about the potentially confusing nature of his arrangement with Julie for their child. This confrontation, coupled with their individual romantic challenges, forces Julie and Jason to re-evaluate their relationship and the feasibility of their initial plan.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Julie Keller (Jennifer Westfeldt): A single woman in her thirties who decides to have a child with her best friend to avoid the pitfalls of romantic relationships.
• Jason Fryman (Adam Scott): Julie’s best friend, who agrees to co-parent a child with her while maintaining a platonic relationship and pursuing other romantic interests.
• Leslie (Maya Rudolph): One of Julie and Jason’s married friends, who struggles with the challenges of balancing motherhood and her relationship.
• Ben (Jon Hamm): Missy’s husband and another of Julie and Jason’s friends, whose once passionate marriage deteriorates after having children.
• Missy (Kristen Wiig): Ben’s wife, who becomes increasingly unhappy in her marriage after having children, leading to resentment and distance.
• Mary Jane (Megan Fox): Jason’s girlfriend, who is a dancer and doesn’t want kids, causing conflict in their relationship due to Jason’s role as a father.
• Kurt (Edward Burns): Julie’s boyfriend, a divorced father, who represents a more traditional relationship and challenges Julie’s unconventional arrangement with Jason.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Jason Fryman: “I know that we have the same values, we have the same taste, we have the same sense of humor. I know that we both think that organized religion is completely full of shit.” – Jason defends his platonic relationship with Julie and explains why she would be the perfect mother for his child.
• Jason Fryman: “You think that we don’t love each other? You know, I have loved this girl for nineteen years, Ben. That is fully half my life.” – Jason passionately argues with Ben about the depth of his platonic love for Julie and their unique bond.
• Jason Fryman: “I know that if she is ever paralyzed from the neck down, she would like me to unplug her – and I will.” – Jason uses a morbid but honest example to show how well he knows and understands Julie’s values and wishes.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $10,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $7,251,073
• Worldwide Gross: $13,041,254

💥 Friends with Kids Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went into this movie expecting a typical rom-com, but it surprised me! The whole ‘friends having a baby’ thing was pretty wild, but it made me think about how much relationships change when kids come along. Jon Hamm stole the show with his drunken rant, and honestly, I felt for Julie when Jason wasn’t seeing her as ‘the one’. Overall, a decent watch with some unexpected depth – but also some seriously awkward moments.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of ensemble cast romantic comedies”
  • “Viewers interested in modern relationship dynamics”
  • “Those who enjoy films exploring the complexities of friendship and parenthood”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong language”
  • “Sexual content and references”
  • “Discussion of marital issues”

Professional Reviews

• IMDb: “Westfeldt’s film offers a modern take on relationships, tackling the impact of parenthood on friendships with wit. While the ensemble cast shines, the predictable plot and some cringe-worthy dialogue leave the film feeling somewhat incomplete.
• Rotten Tomatoes: “Boasting a talented cast and sharp writing, ‘Friends with Kids’ offers a refreshingly honest look at modern relationships and parenthood, even if it occasionally stumbles into rom-com clichés. The film’s success lies in its believable characters and relatable situations.
• Metacritic: “While the performances are strong and the premise is intriguing, ‘Friends with Kids’ suffers from a lack of originality and a tendency to fall back on familiar romantic comedy tropes. The film’s exploration of alternative parenting is commendable, but its execution is uneven.

Audience Reactions

Jon Hamm’s performance was hilarious and stole many scenes.: The film’s realistic portrayal of friendships and relationships resonated with viewers, highlighting the messy realities of modern life.

The dynamic between the ensemble cast felt authentic and engaging.: Audiences appreciated the film’s attempt to explore alternative family structures and the challenges of balancing parenthood with personal desires.

Overall Consensus: A relatable yet flawed dramedy that offers a modern perspective on relationships and parenthood, elevated by a strong ensemble cast but weighed down by predictable plot elements.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Jennifer Westfeldt wrote, directed, and starred in the film, making it a passion project where she had creative control over the story.”
• “The film features several actors from ‘Bridesmaids,’ including Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, and Jon Hamm, showcasing the close-knit relationships within the comedy acting community.”
• “The storyline explores a modern take on relationships and family dynamics, questioning traditional norms and presenting alternative approaches to parenthood.”

🖥️ How to Watch Friends with Kids?

Friends with Kids is currently available for streaming on various platforms. You can find it on services like Amazon Prime Video (available for rent or purchase), Apple TV, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability. Digital downloads are also available for purchase on platforms like Google Play Movies.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Friends with Kids, you might like these similar films:

• When Harry Met Sally… (1989): Explores the complexities of male-female friendship and whether platonic relationships can evolve into romantic ones.
• Knocked Up (2007): Features an unexpected pregnancy between two people who are not a traditional couple and examines the challenges of parenthood.
• Baby Mama (2008): A single businesswoman hires a surrogate to carry her child, navigating the complexities of motherhood and unconventional family structures.
• This Means War (2012): Deals with friendships being tested by romantic interests; similar themes of relationships and commitment.
• Life as We Know It (2010): Explores the complexities of raising a child as friends after they become the guardians of an orphaned baby.

🛒 Friends with Kids Related Products

• “Friends With Kids” Movie Poster: A high-quality print of the official “Friends With Kids” movie poster, perfect for decorating your home theater or office. Showcases the ensemble cast and captures the essence of the film.
• Parks and Recreation: The Complete Series [DVD]: Enjoy hours of comedic brilliance with Adam Scott in the iconic role of Ben Wyatt. This DVD set includes all seven seasons of the show. This is perfect to enjoy more of Adam Scott’s acting.
• Mad Men: The Complete Collection [Blu-ray]: Dive into the world of 1960s advertising with this complete Blu-ray collection of the critically acclaimed series ‘Mad Men,’ starring Jon Hamm. This collection provides great context into John’s acting style.
• Bridesmaids [Blu-ray]: Enjoy a laugh-out-loud comedy experience with the Blu-ray of ‘Bridesmaids,’ featuring Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, and Chris O’Dowd. Packed with hilarious scenes and memorable performances.

🎧 Soundtrack

Friends with Kids features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Hotel Song” – performed by Regina Spektor
• “The Reeling” – performed by Passion Pit

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

I don’t care how many kids I have #friends #funny #movie #shorts

Remember that hilarious line about kids in ‘Friends with Kids’? This short clip will instantly bring back the laughs – I still crack up every time I hear it!

✨ Rate