This really was a cute movie with some endearing moments. The bullied kid gains the respect of the aggressor through his initiative. He then gains even more respect by standing up to the aggressor. The bully and the bullier become a team.
The film shows that kids are more intuitive to their parents grievances against each other than we give them credit for. From impending divorce, to secret affairs, to over-bearing spouses, to drifting relationships, etc. While most of the kids want their parents to work out their problems, being so torn about it as to lock them in a basement together and work it out, one kid doesn't have this concern. Her concern is with her mom not being her mom, but being her peer. She wants a mom to discipline her, to advise her, to guide her, to stop trying to hang out with her.
I can remember some extreme moments (too often unfortunately) where I wanted to lock my parents away and make them work out their issues. But you cannot. Only in a movie. In the end, whether divorced or reconciled, the kids didn't fail. So is life, I'm afraid. But let us never think our children aren't effected by our grievances, nor inspired by our affections.