A Family Affair

Swinging at broad satirical targets regarding celebrity excess and Hollywood superficiality, A Family Affair is mildly amusing without generating many underlying sparks.

Perhaps the point of this sappy romantic comedy from director Richard Lagravenese (P.S. I Love You) is that shallow movie stars and affluent creatives have feelings, too. While that’s true, it doesn’t mean we should automatically care about them.

This screwball fairy tale yields some scattered big laughs from a talented cast that seems to enjoy a little self-reflexive ribbing. But even the most eager moviegoers will find the outrageous suspension of disbelief a daunting obstacle.

The story centers on Zara (Joey King), a personal assistant for the demanding Chris (Zac Efron), the pampered star of an action franchise for which he’s about to shoot the next sequel, regardless of the quality of the script, which he earnestly describes as “Die Hard meets Miracle on 34th Street meets Speed.”

After Zara quits in frustration, Chris realizes he needs her back. So he shows up at her house, which she shares with her writer mother, Brooke (Nicole Kidman), who happens to be home alone. Chris strikes up an awkward conversation filled with regrets. “I’ve been making bad decisions left and right,” he confesses before their mutual attraction leads to a quickie in the bedroom.

When she finds out, Zara feels like her loyalties are torn and her trust has been betrayed. But is scheming to sabotage the relationship really in her best interest? And what about Brooke?

The film pokes fun at a misogynistic film business obsessed with intellectual property, averse to risk, and bereft of fresh ideas. It’s easy to agree with that view, however insincere it might be.

The performances rise above the eye-rolling contrivances of rookie screenwriter Carrie Solomon, whose characters and scenarios feel detached from reality.

Plus, the film unfortunately comes right on the heels of The Idea of You, another romcom about a middle-aged mother who falls for a younger heartthrob, which incorporates more nuance and charm.

On the other hand, A Family Affair rings false with its final-act sentiment about fulfillment and empowerment and self-discovery. The clumsy transition into heavy-handed melodrama takes away all the fun.

Rated PG-13, 111 minutes.