A critically acclaimed film, whose U.S. debut will be at the Tropic Cinema tonight, could have been set in Key West, as it epitomizes the island city's One Human Family motto, according to one of its producers, who calls Key West home.

Anne O'Shea is an executive producer of the indie film "The Kids Are All Right," starring Annette Bening and Julianne Moore, who play a married lesbian couple with two children. O'Shea moved to Key West with her husband and children in 1988, and now divides her time between here and Wilmington, N.C.

She has been a stage, film and television actress and a writer, but now is moving behind the camera to produce theater and films through her company, Minerva Productions.

The corporate goal was to "mentor women in film and theater disciplines including acting, directing, designing and technical production work -- areas that are sometimes off-limits to women working in performing arts," O'Shea has said.

"The Kids Are All Right" presented the opportunity to bring the ideals of Minerva to the big screen, so she became an executive producer. The film and its message bears out many of O'Shea's own goals, which include giving women in performing arts the recognition -- and fun -- they deserve, she said.

The comedy centers on the lesbian couple and their children's desire to meet their biological father, who was an anonymous sperm donor, played by Mark Ruffalo.

"The accolades for 'The Kids Are All Right' are off the charts," said Corky Irick, board chairman of the Tropic Cinema. "I can't remember the last time I saw such uniformly high praise for an indie movie."

Reviewers with The New York Times, Rolling Stone and the Boston Globe offered glowing praise for the film.

"To use the words of my friend, J.T. Thompson, 'Kids' is really about One Human Family," O'Shea said in a press release. "I think the film epitomizes our town's attitude about families and parents and people. I'm really proud to be screening it at the Tropic."

O'Shea will host an opening reception to introduce the film at 6 p.m. at the Tropic Cinema. Showtime is at 7 p.m. The show will run at the Eaton Street theater for several weeks, said Executive Director Matthew Helmerich. For more information, visit http://www.tropiccinema.com.

mmiles@keysnews.com