See it at the Movies

THIS IS WHERE I LEAVE YOU

Joyce and Don Fowler
Posted 9/25/14

* * *

(Another dysfunctional family film)

Is there such a thing as a “functional family”?

Certainly not in this star-studded story about a family that comes together to sit shiva after …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

E-mail
Password
Log in
See it at the Movies

THIS IS WHERE I LEAVE YOU

Posted

* * *

(Another dysfunctional family film)

Is there such a thing as a “functional family”?

Certainly not in this star-studded story about a family that comes together to sit shiva after the death of the father.

The problem with the movie is that it can’t decide whether it wants to be a comedy, tragicomedy or soap opera. As all three, it has its high and low moments.

The mother (Jane Fonda) tells her non-practicing Jewish children that their father’s last request is that they observe shiva sitting together for a week while friends visit and pay their respects.

Cramming the grown children and their assorted spouses and significant others into the house causes immediate and continuous conflict. Some of it is amusing, some downright hilarious and some tedious.

Judd Altman (Jason Bateman) comes off as the central character. The movie open with Judd finding his wife in bed with his boss. He comes to the gathering with one big chip on his shoulders.

Tina Fey is the wife/mother whose marriage is also falling apart, yet she still displays her strengths in holding it together and providing a sounding board for brother Judd.

The younger brother, Phillip (Adam Driver), has brought along his older psychotherapist/lover (Connie Britton of “Nashville”), adding to the conflict. The man-child just can’t keep his mouth shut, starting much of the conflict.

The older brother, Paul (Corey Stoll), professes to be the rock of the family, having remained in their hometown to run the family sporting goods store. He and his wife have their own set of problems.

There are more peripheral characters who come and go, adding to the ever-growing conflicts. We’ll leave them to you to discover.

Fonda is great as the mother who has caused damage to her children by including them in a book she has written about them. She has shocked them with her breast enlargement and further shocks them at the end with a secret she has hidden for years.

Put this all together and you have a fast-paced hour and three quarters with enough material for a yearlong TV series.

Rated R, with profanity, drug use (one hilarious scene at the synagogue) and sexual references.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here