After a significant hiatus of nearly two decades, director Richard LaGravenes makes a captivating return to the romance genre with his latest film, ‘A Family Affair,’ now available on Netflix. The film, penned by the talented Carrie Solomon, is set in Hollywood’s glitzy and glam-filled world. It weaves a compelling narrative around the life of a young woman named Zara (Joey Ford), who serves as the assistant to Chris Cole (Zac Efron), one of the world’s most renowned movie stars. As their lives intertwine unexpectedly, the story unfolds with a delightful mix of humor and heartwarming moments.
The movie introduces us to Zara and Chris and their business relationship. One of the first things that caught me off guard with the film was the characterization of Chris Cole. While Efron could have easily turned the character into a tool, he is portrayed as having likable qualities but is vastly aware of his celebrity. The script wisely plays on Efron’s movie star charm, so it comes across as organic when the meet cute happens between Brooke and Chris. While Kidman could do a role like this in her sleep it’s always good to see her on screen.
Kidman and Efron, who shared the screen previously in 2012’s “The Paperboy,” erase the conversational jellyfish scene in that film from my mental Rolodex with thin the first ten minutes we see them together. While their May-December
romance could have taken a ton of different angles, the script navigates the complexities of their relationships. They are forced to confront their insecurities and desires, leading to moments of both laughter and introspection. Joey King also gives off enough moxie for audiences to like her character. One of the film’s most compelling aspects is its well-developed characters, each bringing a unique perspective to the story. From Zara, a young woman juggling her personal and professional life, to her mother, who unexpectedly get her groove back, to the charismatic movie star boss wrestling with his vulnerabilities, the characters are relatable and engaging, drawing viewers into their world.
Sadly, “A Family Affair” can’t transfer these elements to the rest of the cast. The usually reliable Kathy Bates portrays herself as a caricature, and the cougar lines she uses to omit laughs concerning her attraction to Efron’s character fall flat. Concurrently rising comedic talents Sherry Cola and Liza Koshy aren’t given any witty dialogue to showcase their sharp comedic timing. The film doesn’t offer too many laughs, and I didn’t chuckle until Efron’s last line in the movie.
Nevertheless, from the strength of the leads, “A Family Overall, “is a charming one-time and feel-good film that celebrates the complexities of love and relationships.
Final Grade: B-
“A Family Affair” is available to stream tomorrow at www.netflix.com/afamilyaffair
As the King of Pop’s biopic continues to perform well at the box office, I wanted to revisit one of Michael Jackson’s overlooked solo albums, “Forever, Michael”, released in 1975, for my first Second Listen Sunday of 2026.
As Joe prepares for his upcoming Tiny Desk performance, it’s a fitting time to revisit “U Should Know Me,” one of the hidden gems in his catalog. This song, which he wrote and produced himself, first appeared in 1998 on the soundtrack for “Caught Up”, a hood drama starring Bokeem Woodbine and Cynda Williams.
As fans look forward to his upcoming co-headlining “Nights Like This” tour with Akon, Ne-Yo is smoothly transitioning into country music while still maintaining his R&B roots with his latest single, “Ms. Tundra.” This infectious track is the third release from his forthcoming tenth studio album, “Highway 79,” set for release on July 10 via Compound Entertainment.