Parents' Guide to Fair Play

For many people, especially women, Rodsky's message about the importance of work division in a family feels very validating. Fair Play acknowledges that women often shoulder most of the work in a family led by a heterosexual couple, leading to exhaustion and resentment. And that labor gap often morphs into something like an abandoned teeter-totter once children enter the picture. But before men go running from the room, know that director Jennifer Siebel Newsom still has your back. Her filmography demonstrates her passion for releasing people from unfair gender expectations, and she does that here, too. Rodsky's husband, Seth, owns up to his lack of participation and then takes steps to work with his wife to model how to be a more equitable partner.

All of that said, Siebel Newson meanders a bit from her point. She drifts into related areas that are equally important, but that waters down the primary message. Siebel Newsom (who's married to California Governor Gavin Newsom), her co-producing partner Hello Sunshine (led by Reese Witherspoon), and financier P&G collectively have the reach to get many powerful, intelligent, authoritative women to sit down for interviews. But it's just too many talking heads more or less saying the same thing, and it becomes a bit of a repetitive blur. On the other hand, Rodsky is a dynamic and engaging personality, and the families who tell their stories are mesmerizing. Through it all, viewers will watch with a measuring stick, gauging how they're doing in comparison to others. Rodsky makes some actionable recommendations, but it seems that for those looking for a full outline of how to reshape their family dynamic, you have to buy the book.