Critics Have Love-Hate Relationship With Netflix’s ‘A Family Affair’

Critics are split in their reviews of Nicole Kidman and Zac Efron’s Netflix original romantic comedy A Family Affair.

A Family Affair debuted on the streaming service Friday, topping off a big month for Netflix original movies that began with the Glen Powell and Adria Arjona hit crime comedy Hit Man on June 7.

The logline for A Family Affair reads, “When Zara (Joey King) quits her job as the personal assistant to Hollywood heartthrob Chris Cole (Zac Efron), she unwittingly sets the stage for a chance encounter between Chris and her famous writer mom, Brooke (Nicole Kidman).

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“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.”

Rotten Tomatoes critics have collectively given A Family Affair a 47% “rotten” rating based on 49 reviews to date. The Audience Score by RT users isn’t as favorable, though, as the film currently has a “rotten” 42% rating based on 100-plus ratings.

What Are The Top Critics Saying About ‘A Family Affair’?

Top critics on Rotten Tomatoes have varying opinions on A Family Affair.

On the positive side, critic Angie Han of The Hollywood Reporter writes in her summary of the Nicole Kidman and Zac Efron romantic comedy, “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.”

In addition, critic Pete Hammond of Deadline loves A Family Affair, calling the movie, “A smart, character-driven romcom that serves up a delicious cast with a witty script and engaging situation for all.”

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Meanwhile, Variety critic Tomris Laffly found nothing appealing about A Family Affair in her review, writing, “Sadly, the film plays more like an artless quickie than a fully fleshed-out romance. “

In addition, Laffly writes in her review, “The biggest joke seems to be on A Family Affair itself, for wasting Efron’s underrated talents and Kidman’s peerless range so clumsily.”

Critic Gary M. Kramer is equally as damning in his review of the movie for Salon, 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.”

Directed by Richard Lagravenese and also starring Kathy Bates, A Family Affair is streaming exclusively on Netflix.

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