The Kids Are Ok

Drama about two teenage children whose parents' marriage is breaking apart. Kenny and Jill are both, in their own ways, distracted and doing poorly at school. When they come home they see their parents arguing, and overhear their mother crying at night, but they have difficulty talking about it with each other. A year later, after the father has left home and everybody seems to have settled down. The children spend weekends with their father, but things become strained when he introduces his new friend Doreen.

Directed by —, The Kids Are Ok leans on a strong ensemble — James Morrison, Donna McVey, Bill Henderson — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about screen titles of 1980.