Opened: September 19, 2014
Directed by: Shawn Levy
Starring: Jason Bateman, Tina Fey, Jane Fonda, Adam Driver, Rose Byrne, Corey Stoll, Kathryn Hahn, Connie Britton, Timothy Olyphant, Dax Shepard, Debra Monk, Aaron Lazar, Abigail Spencer, Will Swenson & Ben Schwartz
With an A-list cast who knows when they need to add humor and when to hold back for the drama, This Is Where I Leave You is equal parts funny and emotional.
After the death of their father (Will Swenson), the Altman children – Paul (Corey Stoll), Judd (Jason Bateman), Wendy (Tina Fey) and Phillip (Adam Driver) – and their mother Hilary (Jane Fonda) sit Shiva, spending the most time together since they were kids.
Judd is hilariously tragic, and Bateman plays to that wide array of emotions well. You’ll sympathize with him from the start, but he’ll keep you laughing. He and Fey spar well but have such a love for each other like a real sibling duo would.
The screenplay is smart and doesn’t have a weak character in the bunch.
Final say: You won’t want to leave. ★★★★☆