This Is Where I Leave You

There was something faintly familiar about This Is Where I Leave You. Perhaps it was a case of art imitating life or simply I've seen this story again and again ... and again.

Based on the book by Jonathan Tropper, the film centres on Judd Altman (Jason Bateman) who goes from discovering his wife in bed with his boss, to finding out his father has passed away from cancer, in a matter of weeks.

As with films like Garden State, Young Adult or TV shows like Brothers and Sisters, Judd then proceeds to return to his quaint, quiet hometown to mourn with his dysfunctional family - played brilliantly by Jane Fonda, Tina Fey, Corey Stoll and Adam Driver respectively.

Stuck in his childhood home for seven days, with his life in tatters, Judd does the usual self discovery routine of suppressing anger, frustration and sadness over recent events, reconnecting with his estranged family, catching up with old friends (Timothy Olyphant) and getting together with a long lost love (Rose Byrne).

Truth be told, there were worse ways to spend a windswept, Autumnal evening. Bateman carries the film well, channelling a reasonably more serious version of the character he's most famous for in Arrested Development.

However it was Tina Fey who was the surprising stand out for me, shedding her somewhat tired comedy routine for a performance which never once felt forced.

Her back story with the excellent, but underutilised, Timothy Olyphant gives the film an unexpected tragedy that could have been explored further, and ultimately left me wanting.

Adam Driver meanwhile continues to ride the momentum he's attained from his utterly bonkers antics from HBO's Girls with a slightly less offensive, family friendly rendition as the family baby/wild child, Philip.

Being a fan of Corey Stoll's work in House of Cards it was unfortunate his character felt awkwardly out of place next to his more esteemed siblings.

Still the film kept its class with a playfully eccentric turn from Fonda and her best friend played by Debra Monk. While the film was also littered with a slew of great cameo and supporting performances from some of TV's finest, including Kathryn Hahn and Ben Schwartz (Parks and Recreation), Abigail Spencer (Mad Men & Suits) and Connie Britton (Nashville and Friday Night Lights).

Though the cast list was impressive, the script and story failed to live up to the movie's talent. At times charming and sincere, the film's focus could have been much more interesting if placed from the point of view of Fey, Driver or Fonda rather than the average coming of (middle) age Bateman is faced with.

It won't last in the memory long but there was just something that hit home about This Is Where I Leave You with me, but like the opening sentence of this review I can't tell if it's because it relates to past life experiences or sadly just past cinema experiences.

I regret to say it was probably the latter.

Andrew Moore

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