Official Australian release date: 23/10/14.
Viewed: 12/11/14.
Director: Shawn Levy
Actors: Jason Bateman, Tina Fey, Adam
Driver, Jane Fonda, Rose Byrne
Genre: Comedy / Drama
Rating: M
‘This Is Where I Leave You’ is a good
mix of funny moments and dramatic moments of reflection. It’s basically the
story of four siblings – Judd (Bateman), Wendy (Fey), Phillip (Driver) &
Paul (Stoll) – and how they, along with their mum (Fonda), deal with their
father’s death. There’s lots of squabbling and jibes, but also some nice scenes
with some emotional depth.
This film is slightly better than ‘Date
Night’, Levy’s similar film from a few years ago with Fey. It’s not too long, is
quite well paced and has a good soundtrack. My main gripe is that – since I can
relate! – there wasn’t a more fleshed-out character for Paul, the big brother.
I think Phillip comes off being the most interesting, but it’s enjoyable seeing
how they all interact with each other & their sibling’s partners. No real
conclusion, but there is a few unnecessary spanners thrown in the works at the
end.
The best bits are when they all deal
with the loss with some levity, especially aided by “Boner” the Rabbi (Schwartz),
some of Fey’s quips and the toilet-training kid. Byrne’s good as Bateman’s love
interest, but since there’s so many cast members, doesn’t get enough screen
time, along with Fonda.
Overall: Solid family-based
comedy/drama.
Gav's Rating: 3.5 stars.
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