Review of This Is Where I Leave You (2014) by Gabriel B — 17 Dec 2014

As a film it feels overly familiar, with some amusing scenes, but not enough to make for a wholly satisfying experience. You laugh in spite of yourself in This Is Where I Leave You, a potty-mouthed comedy with enough exasperation, aggravations, long-standing grievances and get-me-outta-here moments of family stress to strike a chord with anyone who's ever had to endure large clan gatherings that might have lasted a bit too long. A big, broad dysfunctional family comedy, sort of a "Parenthood" pushed into R-rated "Adulthood" territory. Fonda gets some of the movie's best moments as the sexually frank, silicone-enhanced mom who got rich off a best-selling memoir that exposed her children's intimate habits. There are some unexpected elements but they're not really sharp enough to redeem some of the clichés. You can't help but be drawn in by these empathetic, funny performances and the overarching message that there is no such thing as "normal". There are moments when it's far too sugary for its own good, and the script can't quite find the right amount of laughs or tears, but for all that it still made me smile. Although This Is Where I Leave You doesn't work as a whole, there are enough enjoyable little moments to make you feel as if you got your money's worth.

VERDICT: "In The Zone" - [Mixed Reaction] These kinds of movies are usually movies that had some good things, but some bad things kept it from being amazing. This rating says buy an ex-rental or a cheap price of the DVD to own. If you consider cinema, ask for people's opinion on the film. (Films that are rated 2.5 or 3 stars).