Julianne Moore Stars as Lesbian in Family Film
One of Hollywood's busiest and most acclaimed actresses, Julianne Moore, joined us on "The Early show Wednesday morning to talk with Erica Hill about her new role in the film, "The Kids Are All Right," a unique movie about an all-American family that is not very typical.
Moore plays one half of a lesbian couple, who have been together for over two decades, and are raising two teenagers together. But when their son is behaving in strange ways, the parents have a slight inkling that he might be gay so they begin snooping as well.
"I think it's sort of wonderful because it's like with any teenage child, if you have -- you know, you have questions about what they're feeling, what they're going through, and they don't know about his sexuality, but they don't want to push him," said Moore. "They want it to be revealed but they don't want him to get hurt. If he was online, he should -- you know, all that stuff. What is funny is the kid isn't gay. He wanted to meet up with a sperm donor."
The ladies each gave birth to a child using the same sperm donor. As their oldest daughter turns 18 and is heading off to college, she is now legally allowed to contact the donor and meet her father. She does this mainly at the push of her younger brother, who is just curious to find out where he came from.
Mark Ruffalo plays the father of the children, and as he enters the family, the dynamics begin to change, and everything gets thrown off a little.
"The great thing about this family is it's a typical American family," explained Moore. "I mean, they're incredibly lucky; they have one working parent, a stay-at-home parent, which is extraordinarily rare these days. Children are well cared for and loved and cherished. The partnership is -- you know, it's definitely a portrait of a middle-aged marriage."
The movie has been described as politically charged, but at the same time, incredibly apolitical. The film has already generated Oscar buzz as well as an "A" review from "Entertainment Weekly." This news comes as a great source of excitement to Moore and the rest of the cast.
"Are you kidding? We're always thrilled. Honestly, the nicest thing about this is you hope it makes people go," laughed Moore. "You want people to buy tickets and enjoy the film. I think the film is highly entertaining, super, super funny and touching. If there is buzz, maybe people will buy tickets."
Moore's own life-imitating-art moment comes from her own children, one 12, and one 8. She described watching them grow up, and before she knows it, they'll be 18 and out of the house.
"You do realize that once they kind of enter adolescence, their time at home is really limited," said Moore. "I think that's what this family (in "The Kids Are All Right") is feeling, too. This is the last summer they're all going to be home together before their daughter goes to college. So, everybody's kind of really holding onto that time. You know, it's a pretty precious, precious time in their lives."
The film "The Kids Are All Right" opens in select cities Friday, July 9.