Entertainment

Gay moms want sperm limits for donor dad in ‘The Kids Are All Right’

The perils of lesbian parenthood include the sudden ap pearance of the children’s sperm donor in “The Kids Are All Right,” Lisa Cholodenko’s ruefully funny, beautifully acted comedy of manners and unconventional celebration of gay marriage.

Nic (Annette Bening), a workaholic obstetrician, and her laid-back partner Jules (Julianne Moore) have raised an 18-year-old daughter named Joni — after singer Joni Mitchell, of course — and 15-year-old son unfortunately named Laser.

Their cozy life in Southern California is somewhat strained — by Nic’s fondness for chardonnay and the feeling by Jules, who has abandoned several stabs at a career, that Nic doesn’t appreciate her so much anymore.

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Joni (Mia Wasikowska, Tim Burton’s Alice), who is about to leave for college in a few days, decides to help Laser (Josh Hutcherson) track down the man whose sperm was used by their mothers.

That would be Paul (Mark Ruffalo), a hunky, bearded, womanizing restaurateur who’s thrilled to learn he’s a parent.

Considerably less thrilled is Nic, who bristles at the idea of this interloper offering parental advice, even in a theoretical fashion.

Jules, though, is far friendlier toward Paul, especially after he hires her to landscape his barren backyard, which she enthusiastically describes as “fecund.”

It’s pretty clear that Nic’s frostiness — and Paul’s horniness — will evolve into a D.H. Lawrence-style alternative to Jules’ alternative lifestyle.

The script by Cholodenko and Stuart Blumberg is often hilarious — especially when Nic and Jules are asked by their baffled son to explain why their preference in porn runs to the gay male variety.

Laser has his own sexual identity issues — he’s hanging with an abusive male friend — and Joni is wrestling with the idea of leaving home.

These well-drawn characters are wonderfully portrayed by the five lead actors, all of whom are given moments to shine — especially when Nic launches into a frighteningly enthusiastic performance of Mitchell’s “All I Want” after a few too many drinks.

“The Kids Are All Right” might not be as edgy as Cholodenko’s past work — “High Art” and “Laurel Canyon” — but this more mainstream effort has lots of smarts, lots of heart and an open mind.