Watch This Is Where I Leave You
- R
- 2014
- 1 hr 43 min
-
6.6 (84,777)
This Is Where I Leave You is a 2014 comedy-drama film that follows the story of a dysfunctional family dealing with their father's death. Directed by Shawn Levy, the film stars Jason Bateman as Judd Altman, who returns to his childhood home after his father's death, forced to spend a week under the same roof as his mother, siblings, and their respective partners. The film begins by introducing Judd Altman, a radio producer who finds his life falling apart. He walks in on his wife, Quinn (Abigail Spencer), having an affair with his boss, Wade (Dax Shepard). As if that wasn't enough, Judd's father passes away, requiring him to return to his childhood home in New York to shiva, a Jewish mourning ritual that lasts seven days. At the shiva, Judd reunites with his mother, Hilary (Jane Fonda), and his siblings Paul (Corey Stoll), Wendy (Tina Fey), and Phillip (Adam Driver). They haven't seen each other since their father's death, and tensions are high. The family's issues begin to surface as they reminisce about their past and confront their present situations. Wendy is a married mother of two who feels unfulfilled in her life. She has a crush on Horry (Timothy Olyphant), a boy she dated in high school who was left brain damaged after an accident. Paul is the oldest sibling, who is resentful of Judd for leaving town and becoming successful. He and his wife, Alice (Kathryn Hahn), are struggling with fertility issues. Phillip is the youngest sibling, a wild child with a much older girlfriend (Connie Britton). As the week progresses, the family faces unexpected challenges, but they start to let their guards down and reconnect. The siblings come to terms with their conflicts, and Judd starts to see his life in a new light. He also meets Penny (Rose Byrne), his former high school crush, who is working at the local grocery store. They rekindle their old flame, which complicates Judd's already chaotic life. The cast of This Is Where I Leave You delivers strong performances throughout the film. Jason Bateman is excellent as Judd, portraying his character's emotional journey convincingly. Tina Fey is also impressive as Wendy, bringing her trademark humor to the role while still conveying the character's inner turmoil. Jane Fonda is a standout as the family matriarch, who is trying to keep up appearances in the face of grief. Director Shawn Levy does an excellent job of balancing the film's tone. This Is Where I Leave You is both funny and touching, exploring themes of family, love, and loss. The film's soundtrack further adds to the atmosphere, featuring songs from artists like The Lumineers, Bon Iver, and Alt-J. Overall, This Is Where I Leave You is a heartwarming film that manages to find humor in the midst of tragedy. It's a film that will resonate with anyone who has experienced the complexities of family dynamics, and it's a great option for anyone looking for a good laugh and a good cry.