Review of This Is Where I Leave You (2014) by Tyler R — 09 May 2015

This is another case of when a phenomenal cast saves a so-so plot from crashing in on itself. However, unlike a few films before it, the plot doesn't quite give the stellar cast enough to work with.

This Is Where I Leave You brings together a distant, dysfunctional family when their father passes away, and past and present issues come to light. Like I said, the cast is pretty great, with Jason Bateman and Tina Fey easily stealing the show.

However, despite everyone bringing their A-game, what they're given with often times dips into the lower levels. Instead of playing with or transcending the cliches of the dramedy genre, this film plays it safe and rolls with them, and any issues the film does run into in terms of character crossroads or moral complications, it oftentimes jumps right over them, never giving them a second thought.

But even after that is taken into account, the film is still enjoyable, but not as great as it could have been given the talent involved.