Have we entered a new golden age of romantic comedies? It certainly seems that way, with delightful movies such as Upgraded, Anyone But You, and most recently, The Idea of You making a serious splash with worldwide audiences. The potential next big rom-com reteams Zac Efron with Nicole Kidman, both of whom worked together on the underrated 2012 indie, The Paperboy. The basic premise may seem familiar—older woman falls for much younger man, against the general wishes of those around them—but A Family Affair manages to feel fun and fresh despite the odds being stacked against it. Both Efron and Kidman are in their element, sandwiched between a frantic, passionate Joey King. A Family Affair sweetens a simple love story off the natural chemistry of its leads, giving Netflix another comforting rom-com for the slow summer months.
Hard-working personal assistant Zara (King) has reached the end of her rope with her self-centered, demanding boss. Cheesy action movie star, Chris Cole (Efron), acts like a petulant child with Zara, including having her bring a pair of break up diamond earrings every time he gives a romantic prospect the boot. Zara was promised her job would eventually lead to producer credits and further involvement with Chris on his films, which has still not happened two years later. Chris’ constant threats become too much, and finally Zara quits. This comes at a time when Chris’ next film, Icarus Rush 3, needs serious script attention.
Zara’s resignation, however, does not signal the end of their personal or professional relationships. When he realizes how much he needs her, Chris shows up at Zara’s home to get her back. There he runs into Zara’s single mother, Brooke (Kidman), a famous author who has firmly checked out of the dating scene in the wake of her late husband’s passing. One thing leads to another, and what began as a frightened encounter blasting Blondie culminates in a heated sexual tryst. Their flirtation escalates, not realizing that Zara may show up any second. Of course, exactly that happens, and Zara’s reaction to discovering her mother and former boss in a prickly situation becomes one of the most hilarious moments in A Family Affair. From here, a disgusted Zara makes her feelings quite clear, practically presenting an ultimatum. End their sordid love affair, or else.
Obviously, Chris and Brooke continue their romance, putting zero stock in Zara’s concerns. As their characters grow closer, Efron and Kidman find an easy rapport through cutesy montage and intimate honesty. Though very different, Chris and Brooke are almost a mirror of one another. The script from Carrie Solomon finds the parallels in their dynamic while leaning into tropes of the subgenre. Joey King figures into the plot much more than expected, though she too may act as a roadblock to a potential love in addition to a handful of others. The direction we take may be an obvious one, but there is no denying the fun to be had.
The difference between a good rom-com and a great one usually relies on a number of factors, from dialogue to romantic situations, chemistry between the leads, and even the general style. A Family Affair falls somewhere between “good” and “great,” not quite managing to reach the heights of The Idea of You or Netflix’s own Hit Man. Still, seeing Kidman and Efron in these roles satisfies more than anticipated. For Efron, they manage to tie in his chin surgery to Chris, molding the character into a faux reflection of Efron’s real-life actor persona. This goes as far as using footage from film festivals and other means to show how big of a movie star Chris has become. Perhaps this will be a title that fades deep into the Netflix algorithm—whatever the case, a modern rom-com this charming may not even need a rewrite.
Navigate the complexities of celebrity relationships with A Family Affair, coming exclusively to Netflix on Friday, June 28th.
