Judd Altman (Jason Bateman) has everything going for him—a great job, a perfect wife and a dream apartment. Then, in the blink of an eye, it all disappears as Judd walks in on his wife with his boss. Not long after, news of his father’s death reunites him with his three siblings: the responsible sister Wendy (Tina Fey), the eldest brother Paul (Corey Stoll) and the youngest sibling and wild child Phillip (Adam Driver).

Following the funeral, their fabulous mother (Jane Fonda) informs her children their father’s dying wish was to “Sit Shiva,” a Jewish ritual that requires the whole family to remain in one house for seven days. As the rest of the movie unravels there is never a dull moment, from nearly causing a fire in a temple to brotherly fistfights.

This movie was filled with a mixture of crude comedy and serious relationship mending. It began as a funny film and quickly turned into a heartfelt heartbreaker. While it is not the most thrilling movie to hit theaters this fall, there was never a moment where I checked the time or found myself wishing it was over because it was nonstop drama-filled fun.

The casting in “This Is Where I Leave You” is phenomenal. Bateman shines with his usual dry humor and him and Fey bounce humor off each other nonstop. Fonda does a wonderful portrayal of a mother who is struggling to remind her children how important family is.

While the main cast was exceptional, the supporting characters did not disappoint either. “We’re the Millers” Kathryn Hahn brings her endless comedy per usual as the role of eldest brother Paul’s wife. “Neighbors” Rose Byrne provides laughs as well as Judd’s long lost love interest.

This is a film that will make you appreciate your family. It shows no matter how far you may drift from your loved ones and how beyond repair you think your relationships are, those bonds will always remain and if you are willing to dig a little deeper, you may be surprised where it will leave you.

4/5

Caitlin Grove

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