But if you only saw Efron in all those High School Musicals, you won’t recognize him as a grown up leading man here. And Kidman, fresh off her AFI Life Achievement Award, looks lovely while we can’t help thinking  how much older she is than Efron in real life. .  

.Nicole Kidman and Zac Efron

get romantic and love sick on.

A FAMILY AFFAIR it is.

With Efron playing the big whiz.

His role here the glamorous star

with true love seeming way afar.

Kidman, a widow and a mom,

falls hard for Efron like a bomb.

But Kidman’s daughter* won’t have this.

She thinks the pair is a big miss.

She works for Efron and knows him.

To her, this boss seems way too grim.

For a rom-com the laughs are rare.

But skip that if you like a dare.

Kidman always gives us a treat.

And Efron as grown-up is neat!

A FAMILY AFFAIR is a four character film. Efron as Chris Coles, the big action movie star; Kidman as Brooke Harwood, a widow, mom and writer; Joey King as Zara Ford. Brooke’s’ outspoken daughter; and Kathy Bates as Zara’s comforting grandma.  Kudos to them all. These actors made each character come to life for me.   .  

However, Joey King almost makes Zara hard to take at the beginning until we see how boss Chris makes her do everything for him, even get his groceries. And my only complaint involves how long the movie goes on until Chris and Brooke meet each 0other. As soon as that happens, the excitement begins and holds up through the film.

Two highlight scenes for me include Brooke (Kidman) preparing a first date with Chris (Efron) by trying all kind of dresses she used to wear. And what a knock-out she chooses! My second highlight shows Chris giving some wonderful presents during a Christmas scene. He seemed so happy to give not take.      

Is it true love for these two very different individuals? By the end of A FAMILY AFFAIR, I couldn’t stop rooting for them.     

Any time not spent on love is wasted. --- Torquato Tasso

(Available at Netflix and rated PG-13.)

If you enjoy this romance film, another similar one titled THE IDEA OF YOU is available at Prime Video. Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine co-star. I recommend that one also.