This Is Where I Leave You

Great cast. Great story. Terrific movie. You will not regret watching this one. There are some great little twists and turns. Very enjoyable.

Not much to tell about this movie. Really.

The premise, you've seen it a million times. The members of a family (I let you to judge if it is unconventional or not) are get together in their hometown because of a funeral.

Movies like this could be comedies, dramas, even thrillers. Most of the times though, is about reconciliation between the members of the family, and re-ignition of old flames from their childhood.

This is most definitely a comedy. There are some dilemmas to deal with, and a few emotional surprises but, although strong, are presented in a fun way.

And there is a lot of fun in this movies, mainly because of the chemistry of some experienced TV actors who can play roles like these in their sleep. Despite some forced clichés the movie is easy to watch. Not boring at all.

Jane Fonda looks surprisingly good for her 77 years (she was also in The Newsroom recently). Maybe there is message there for a healthy way of living for the rest of us! Overall: Not Boring. Starts well and continues like that until the very end. Check it out.

This film was actually funny, but not in a slap-sticky juvenile way. It was a comedy for grown ups in that it dealt with themes that are applicable to 30 and 40-somethings, such as death of a parent, fertility, running a business, divorce, etc., but it was not a heavy film in that it was not a dark comedy. The father who died as the premise for it was never presented to the audience, which keeps his passing from being a sad event and allows for the levity at his funeral to be appreciated. The film generally seems to focus the most of Bateman's character and his relationships with others, but he carries that role well. In fact, I thought this performance was one of his finest in quite some time. Tina Fey was great in it too. I thought she was just a comedian, but she can act too! (Is there noting she can't do?) Overall, this film is worth seeing and is a powerful yet lighthearted journey in the interplay between siblings and the event that all 30 & 40 somethings will face at some point: the loss of a parent. If this film doesn't get you thinking about your relationship with your family members, then nothing will. Not to worry, the family in this film has enough dysfunction to make you feel better about your own.

While many have claimed this title does not offer much that the others of this particular genre do, I have to disagree. This is a heartwarming story with genuine dialog between characters. Some of these conversations and interactions I have experienced firsthand. The cinematography captures the specific details that both add to the dialog and allow you to pick up more the second time around. The acting is very believable albeit a little over emphasized for comedy at times. The first time I saw this I had wished they rewrote a few of the lines, but after my second watch they seem fitting for the character and what they were going through at the time. I really did not like Phillip, and now I have come to realize he is that juvenile person frequently found in families. I approached this film without any prior knowledge of it and was pleasantly surprised. I concede it was not amazing, and given the cast list may spark high expectations for some, but going into any movie that way will leave you disappointed.

I'm no movie critic or film analyst but i do believe Jason Bateman is one of the best actors going around today. His ability to balance the serious and the comedic is genius level. The movie itself was good. I don't normally watch these types of movies but with COVID i think I've watched ever bloody movie ever made and this one was next cab off the rank. I'm glad i watched it.