This is Where I Leave You

Because of the trailers and the cast, I have really been looking forward to this one! Like other R-rated comedies, you can expect some bad language, sexual situations and mild drug use, but this isn't director Shawn Levy's ("Date Night") first rodeo. His skill is evident all the way through.

The father of the Altman tribe has died and the family convenes in their home town for the funeral. Dad's last wish was that they sit Shiva (stay under the same roof together) for the full seven days. This is odd because they weren't really observant Jews, but the four adult children and various spouses go along with it.

Here is part of the large cast:

• Jason Bateman ("Identity Thief") Judd is the most stable sibling. He has a good job, an apartment in the city, a lovely wife and his uncomplicated life is good...until he comes home early one day to surprise her for her birthday.
• Tina Fey ("30 Rock") Wendy is the only girl, so she pretty much raised her baby brother because Mom was busy writing and selling her book.
• Adam Driver ("Girls") Phillip is the youngest sibling and a total flake, but it is his sister Wendy's voice he hears in his head. He is heedless, thoughtless and careless...also selfish.
• Cory Stoll ("The Strain") Paul is the son who stayed; he helped their father at the store. He is decent, responsible, and happily married to a woman who desperately wants a baby.
• Kathryn Hahn ("Parks & Recreation") Alice will do anything to get pregnant; she's THAT desperate!
• Rose Byrne ("Neighbors") Penny appears out of nowhere, to Judd's delighted surprise. They knew one another "back in the day" and she still lives in that small town. She thinks "complicated" is interesting.
• Timothy Olyphant ("Justified") Horry still lives with his mother across the street. He and Wendy share a wrenching history.
• Jane Fonda ("The Newsroom") Mommy tells all four of her reluctant children they are grounded until they grant their father's final wish.

In my opinion, Tina Fey, Jason Bateman and most particularly Timothy Olyphant are three of the most appealing actors working today. This film gets a bit "talky," but any time any or all three of them appear on screen, I'm happy. I'll own the DVD because much of the dialogue got by me. If you have a hearing problem, try to see it in a theater that is equipped for closed captions. I liked it, anyway.

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Here is one of the previews:
http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1719577881
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