This Is Where I Leave You

This review may contain spoilers!

A film that got caught up in it's number of varying plots but ultimately left me quite impressed. I would give This Is Where I Leave You a 7/10.

This Is Where I Leave You had a fantastic understanding of satirical comedy, most every punchline hit it's mark well and truly. I also really appreciated this film for the drama and character developing plot lines. Each and every character was constantly explored thoroughly and we came to empathise with each of them in a different way. It's the kind of film where everyone who watches it will come out with a different character for their own reasons. I also really liked the use of music for comedic effect; it was really well done.

Jason Bateman, who played Judd Altman, did a great job as the film's lead; he really set the tone for the entire the film in how well he balanced a dramatic and comedic performance. Tina Fey, who played Wendy Altman, rocked her role; she kicked ass but she also had such a personal struggle in finding her lack of happiness being at home that really set her character apart. Jane Fonda, who played Hillary Altman, was incredibly compassionate; she also had some of the better comedic moments within the film. Rose Byrne, who played Penny Moore, really was a fantastic romantic interest; seriously you don't get amazing romance moments as much as you used to and the relationship Byrne created between Judd and Penny was brilliant. Dax Shepard, who played Wade Beaufort, his smug and arrogant character was tempered with a brilliant amount of comedy; he also slotted into the dramatic plot perfectly and precisely in the right way.

Adam Driver, who played Phillip Altman, really was the most stand out performance in this comedy. Driver captured the young and arrogant Phillip in one of the most outstanding comedic portrayals. His antics onscreen were some of the more enjoyable and he easily got the most laughs from me.

The editing and cinematography within this film didn't go to any great extremes to be outstanding, the film had a very standard look. I also thought the film was crippled by it's vast number of subplots that drowned the story itself. There was too much happening at once and it felt that way when the big twist at the end of the film was revealed and it really didn't make a lot of sense.

Corey Stoll, who played Paul Altman, wasn't a funny character and his role in that dramatic side of the film wasn't very engaging. Kathryn Hahn, who played Annie Altman, was a bit over the top in her performance; her storyline was strange and shouldn't have been included. Connie Britton, who played Tracy Sullivan, was a boring role and a character that you didn't really feel for. Timothy Olyphant, who played HorryCallen, gave a rather awful portrayal of brain damage; and his relation with the other characters wasn't the best established. Debra Monk, who played Linda Callen, ushered in the worst plot twist of the film and I really wish her character hadn't been included. Abigail Spencer, who played Quinn Altman, was a really awful character to the point where you felt guilty for hoping that she lost her baby; she was an awful awful person. Ben Schwartz, who played Rabbi Charles 'Boner' Grodner, wasn't all that funny and really had no clear relation with the family in the film. Aaron Lazar, who played Barry Weissman, wasn't a very strong actor and had very little screen presence. Cade Lappin, who played Cole, wasn't a very good child actor and had no real strong role within the film.