The day-to-day struggles familiar to children of divorce—like scrolling through a voicemail list only to find alternating angry messages from mom and dad—are fodder for comedy in the cute and sappy new film, A.C.O.D. (Adult Children of Divorce).
Carter, played by the mousy yet charming Adam Scott, is the eldest son of a pair of self-centered parents (Catherine O’Hara and Richard Jenkins) and suffers as a pawn in their raging divorce. At the outset of the film, Carter is a stable adult with a steady girlfriend and a job. But when his brother (Clark Duke) announces his engagement, and once Carter discovers that he was a subject in a pseudo-psychological study of children of divorce, his seemingly secure life begins to crumble.
If it weren’t for the parade of familiar comedic faces, this film would likely be overlooked. Carter’s soft-spoken manner makes him the composed adult perfect to be targeted by absurd family members and fake therapists. The dynamic between Scott and his new stepmother, Parks and Recreation co-star Amy Poehler, grounds the film and offers far more comedic jewels than watching the two surly parents’ banter.
Some other A-listers are not as stellar, however. Jessica Alba, a flat, underdeveloped fellow survivor of divorce proves disappointing in her limited screen presence, especially when juxtaposed with vibrant cast mates like Jane Lynch. The only fault with Lynch’s fake therapist character is that she doesn’t get more screen time. Her acerbic, hippie guru-like character proceeds to pop up in Carter’s life with the intention of writing a follow-up book titled Adult Children of Divorce.
Looking mainly at how Carter’s life is shaped by divorce and how he works tirelessly to be less like his parents, the film feels very much like a sitcom as it dips into the hilarity of everyday life. A.C.O.D. retains a nice balance between a preserved sentimentality and an acknowledgment of ludicrous family dynamics. It stays relatable even in its distanced approach to the absurdity of parental relationships.
However, A.C.O.D. occasionally feels a bit too drawn out despite clocking in at a mere 87 minutes. Although it attempts to differentiate itself from other divorce-themed flicks, the material is far from fresh. It may be time for the theme of divorce to annul its relationship with comedy.
