This Is Where I Leave You is based on Jonathan Tropper’s novel of the same name. It’s a “dysfunctional family” comedy. If you like poop-jokes, you’ll like this movie (I’m not a fan). If you like boob-jokes you’ll like this movie. The talented cast members–Jason Bateman, Tina Fey, Jane Fonda, Adam Driver, Connie Britton–are mostly wasted. Everything is predictable. Jason Bateman comes home early and finds…yes, his wife in bed with his boss. Bateman returns to his old home town and sees his high school girl friend and… You can guess what happens. I found This Is Where I Leave You tedious. It should have been a much better movie. GRADE: C-
Didn’t look appealing to me. I would highly recommend Nightcrawlers tho. Much edgier than the usual multiplex film.
Steve, NIGHTCRAWLERS is on our list. I see it was the top grossing movie in the U.S. this past weekend.
Not sure about the poop and boob jokes but I like Fey and Bateman a lot, so may indulge (but at least fuly warned)
Sergio, if the movie just gave Fey and Bateman some fun roles, I’d be writing a more positive review, Unfortunately…
Because of the great cast, I have been tempted but now I see I was right to hold out.
Patti, you’d come away from THIS IS WHERE I LEAVE YOU disappointed…like I did. The cast is great, the movie is not.
It must’ve seemed like a good idea at the time to make this movie. Too bad it didn’t work out well.
Bill, with a talented cast like this THIS IS WHERE I LEAVE YOU should have been better..a lot better!
Since Jonathan Tropper adapted his own book I guess he deserves the blame for the poop and boob jokes. Director Shawn Levy has done some watchable movies – NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM, DATE NIGHT (also with Tina Fey) but also crap like THE INTERNSHIP.
This is not for me.
Jeff, Shawn Levy and Jonathan Tropper have a lot to answer for in THIS IS WHERE I LEAVE YOU.
The consensus seems to be that with all the talent on hand it should have been a much better movie. I certainly felt that way watching the trailer which both bored and annoyed me. Another one for the “skip” column.
Deb, if the movie just focused on Jason Bateman and Tina Fey it could have been a very funny movie. But the “dysfunctional family” melodrama dominated the plot and dragged everything down.
So… what are the best of the current movie crop? Barbara and a friend like to go to a movie every two-three weeks and have no idea what might be good now. Oh, and I’m waiting for your review of INTERSTELLAR.
Rick, GONE GIRL is the pick of the litter. I’m on the bubble with INTERSTELLAR. I dislike the trailer. The reviews around here have been mixed.
She’s already seen GONE GIRL. Nothing else, huh? I don’t know much about Interstellar, have read no reviews. Maybe I need to wait a while.
Rick, we’re in the DEAD ZONE for movies until THANKSGIVING. Then a bunch of Big Budget movies will open. Until then, you can read THE BLACK LIZARD BIG BOOK OF LOCKED-ROOM MYSTERIES.
Yeah, like I’ll watch something with Hanoi Jane in it. Okay, if she caught fire I’d watch her burn, otherwise, no.
Bob, somehow I guessed that might be your reaction.
George-you need to catch Birdman and Nightcrawlers.
Steve, both BIRDMAN and NIGHTCRAWLERS are on my list.
George, that book STILL has not arrived. I guess I wasn’t kidding about the donkey cart delivery on it. Next time we’ll just let the sis-in-law do an Amazon e-card and then get it ourselves with Prime. Oh well, I have ll that other stuff to read.
Rick, it’s hard to believe you haven’t received THE BLACK LIZARD BIG BOOK OF LOCKED-ROOM MYSTERIES yet! Usually AMAZON ships fast.