I just saw “The Kids Are All Right,” the film by Lisa Cholodenko, and I have to say it is one of the most resonant and truthful portrayals of traditional family dynamics, but within the modern context of a same-sex partnership. It’s also a treasure trove of scenes that bring clarity and depth to myriad human development and family studies topics.

Here’s one scene from the film in which the moms, played by Annette Bening and Julianne Moore, confront their teenage son (Josh Hutcherson) about his suspicious behavior.

Students and scholars in any of these disciplines will find the material compelling:

• Family Studies
• Family Science
• Family Relations
• Family History
• Adolescent Development
• Child Development
• Human Development
• Gay Studies
• Film Studies

Availability: Still in theaters.

Educational resources: Oddly, the film’s website doesn’t offer any, but here are a few related materials.

• Several articles summarize the latest findings from research into the emotional well-being of children with lesbian parents:
  • Psychology Today
  • New York Times
  • Time
  • Journal of Pediatrics
• Here writers from academia and the media discuss the significance of the film.
• This article examines the cinematic techniques used in the film.
• Rosie O’Donnell explores same-sex parenthood more directly in her 2006 documentary.

Watch the Kids Are All Right and let us know what you take away from the  film.