Netflix’s latest romantic comedy, A Family Affair, starring Nicole Kidman and Zac Efron, has arrived, and the critics are offering divided opinions. Released on the streaming platform recently, this film has quickly become a topic of discussion, particularly regarding its critical reception on Rotten Tomatoes.
A Family Affair unfolds the story of Zara (Joey King), who resigns from her position as the personal assistant to Hollywood heartthrob Chris Cole (Zac Efron). This decision inadvertently paves the way for a surprising connection between Chris and Zara’s mother, Brooke (Nicole Kidman), a celebrated writer. The official synopsis teases the ensuing chaos: “It’s only a matter of hours before Brooke and Chris realize they have an undeniable chemistry, which leads to laugh-out-loud consequences as Zara’s egocentric boss attempts to woo her incredulous mother.”
As of now, A Family Affair holds a “rotten” rating of 47% on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 49 critic reviews. This indicates a significant split amongst professional critics. The audience score on Rotten Tomatoes is even less enthusiastic, currently sitting at a “rotten” 42%, derived from over 100 user ratings. This initial audience reception suggests that the film may not be resonating as strongly with viewers as anticipated.
However, amidst the mixed reviews, some top critics have found positive aspects in A Family Affair. Angie Han from The Hollywood Reporter noted, “Family Affair’s Hollywood material and its drama feel at times like they’ve come from two completely different films. But the lines are delivered with such heartfelt tenderness that for a moment, you might be moved in spite of yourself.” This suggests that while the film might have some structural or thematic inconsistencies, the performances and emotional delivery offer moments of genuine connection.
Pete Hammond of Deadline offered a more overtly positive perspective, describing A Family Affair as “A smart, character-driven romcom that serves up a delicious cast with a witty script and engaging situation for all.” This viewpoint emphasizes the film’s strengths in character development, witty writing, and engaging plot, positioning it as a worthwhile romantic comedy.
Conversely, not all critics were impressed. Tomris Laffly of Variety expressed disappointment, stating, “Sadly, the film plays more like an artless quickie than a fully fleshed-out romance.” Laffly further critiqued the film for what she perceived as a waste of the lead actors’ talents, “The biggest joke seems to be on A Family Affair itself, for wasting Efron’s underrated talents and Kidman’s peerless range so clumsily.”
Gary M. Kramer from Salon echoed this sentiment with a particularly harsh review, writing, “This film is lazy and uninspired. The Lifetime channel delivers these kinds of romantic movies with more charisma and heart. A Family Affair wants to be comfort food, but it feels like stale leftovers.” This critic found the film lacking in originality and emotional depth, comparing it unfavorably to lower-budget romantic movies.
Directed by Richard Lagravenese and also featuring Kathy Bates, A Family Affair is currently available for streaming exclusively on Netflix. The critical consensus, as reflected by its Rotten Tomatoes score, indicates a mixed reception. Whether audiences will align with the critics or find more to enjoy in this romantic comedy remains to be seen as more viewers stream the film.
