The Netflix romantic comedy, A Family Affair originally had an extremely risqué title. According to the film's stars, Zac Efron and Nicole Kidman, the unconventional name made the script stand out.
"Originally, it had a different title," Kidman told People while promoting the movie. "It was called Motherf**ker," Efron revealed. "Beeped out," his Australian co-star added before stating that "somehow that didn't make it onto the Netflix title." However, it did make a major impression on the High School Musical alum. "That made the script stay at the top of the pile," Efron continued. "It's like, what on Earth could this be about?"
The movie sees Efron and Kidman share the screen as lovers more than a decade after they worked on together on the 2012 drama The Paperboy. "I jumped. I think we both kind of did. We jumped at it," Efron said of getting to work with Kidman again. "It was like, this is perfect. What better way to reconnect? And we get to have fun.I'm still so enamored with Nicole. There's a part of me that pinches myself when I realize who I'm working with. I think that was more pronounced during The Paperboy because I was a lot younger. I was very nervous back then."
A Family Affair Challenges Societal Norms
Kidman took the interview opportunity to discuss the movie's flipped May-December romance. She explained that there aren't enough films that challenge societal norms. "There's a dearth," she said. "We've had it from way back with older men and younger women, that's just always been the norm. The problem is we've not had the equivalent from all different viewpoints, with women telling the stories. And we need game men. [Zac] came in and makes the film because he was like, 'I'm here to have fun, to play, and to very much be a part of this and be there for you' - for both Joey [King] and I," Kidman added.
A Family Affair is directed by Richard LaGravenese from a script by Carrie Solomon. Per the official synopsis, the story begins when "an unexpected romance triggers comic consequences for a young woman, her mother, and her boss, grappling with the complications of love, sex, and identity." Along with Efron and Kidman, the film features Joey King, Liza Koshy, and Kathy Bates. The movie premiered on Netflix on June 28 to mixed reviews from critics.
A Family Affair is streaming on Netflix.
Source: People
In an engaging narrative centered around a large, boisterous family reunion, hidden secrets and long-standing grievances come to the surface, challenging the bonds of family and love. The reunion becomes a catalyst for resolution and new beginnings as members confront their past and present.