This Is Where I Leave You

This Is Where I Leave You is a comical yet poignantly realistic drama film released in 2014 with a star-studded ensemble cast, including Jason Bateman, Tina Fey, and Jane Fonda. This heart-touching movie is based on the ebbs and flows of life that one can relate to in a deep and meaningful way, focusing on themes of family, life's unpredictabilities, self-discovery, and emotional growth.

Directed by Shawn Levy and penned down by Jonathan Tropper, the plot of This Is Where I Leave You is derived from Tropper’s own novel of the same name. Having his own novel brought to life on screen and being able to capture the mixture of humor, disgrace, and endearment is what makes this drama film a must-watch.

Jason Bateman stars as Judd Altman, a man who seems to have a perfect life - an exciting job, a beautiful wife, a cozy house - but all of it comes crashing down one day. Suddenly his life is thrown into tumult when he discovers his wife in bed with his boss, gets fired from his job, and worst of all, is struck by the news of his father's death.

Stuck between the chaos and needing a break from everything, he returns to his family home in line with his father's dying wish: to sit Shiva, a Jewish tradition which compels the family to stay in the house together for seven days, mourning and reflecting on the life of the deceased.

Bateman's on-screen siblings are equally charismatic: Tina Fey as Wendy, the responsible sister balancing her own issues, Corey Stoll as Paul, the eldest brother who’s took over the family business, and Adam Driver as Phillip, the youngest and the free-spirited brother whose life is quite a mess. The matriarch of this squabbling family, Hillary, is brilliantly portrayed by Jane Fonda who brings flawless energy and lighter moments amidst the gloomy situation, making the audience guffaw and enjoy the ride.

As the Altman family reunites under one roof for the first time in years, old resentments and all-too-familiar dynamics reemerge, rooms are reoccupied and roles resumed. The house is filled with old imprints, picture frames, beddings, memories, and most importantly, reminders of their father; A painful reminder of the person missing from the family portrait.

Despite the turmoil, the Altman family has to stick together, tolerating each other’s eccentricities and airing their dirty laundry. Over the course of the seven days, their familial disputes and personal grievances become a tool for emotional purging and disclose their hidden scars which unravel in a series of candid confessions, lending a perceptive examination of family relations, love, loss, and friendship.

This Is Where I Leave You is more than just a comedy-drama. It’s a mirror to the complexities and upheavals in life and how a family, despite their differences and turmoil, can come together, learn to forgive, and more importantly, learn to live without a beloved member.

While the movie carries various undertones of humor and wit, it also leaves a trail of sentiment and emotion that the audience can resonate with. Each member of the family is portrayed as a distinctive character, each of them with their unique flaws and virtues, making family dynamics more enjoyable and believable.

Bateman's performance as Judd is appealingly low-key, effortlessly embodying the common man's turmoil and distress. Fey plays Wendy with a perfect balance of comic timing and subtle aggression, while Stoll, Driver, and Fonda give strong performances which elevate the narrative’s charm and emotional quotient.

All in all, This Is Where I Leave You is a heart-touching tale of a family which bickers, argues, and struggles to cope with their loss, yet, at the end of the day, sticks together. The movie invites its audience to take a walk in the shoes of the Altmans and embark on a poignant journey that is funny, warm, real, and surely relatable.