Sitting shiva tests a zany family
FILM REVIEW by Don Perlgut. Take a dysfunctional New York family of adult children, many of whom actively dislike one another. Add a death of the father and then force them to spend a week together sitting shiva – the dad’s dying wish.
This recipe for drama and humour is the basis of This is Where I Leave You, a film based on the novel by American-Jewish author Jonathan Tropper.
“But mum’s not even Jewish, and dad was an atheist,” protests Judd Altman (played by Jason Bateman). No matter. Mother Hillary (Jane Fonda in a rare return to the screen) insists that they follow his wishes, so they settle in for a week of bickering and unexpected drama.
Judd has recently been cuckolded by his wife Quinn (Abigail Spencer), who has been sleeping with his boss at the radio station where he works.
Older brother Paul (Corey Stoll) and his wife Annie (Kathryn Hahn) – who once went out with Judd – are desperately trying to have a baby, while sister Wendy (Tina Fey) has a husband so distracted by work that he hardly notices her.
She also has an old boyfriend in town, living across the street and still working in the Altman Sporting Goods store that father Mort founded.
And then there’s younger brother Phillip, played by Adam Driver (Girls, Tracks), an immature playboy who arrives with an older woman in tow, Tracy (Connie Britton), his former therapist.
Tracy in turn is a great fan of Hillary, who became famous for writing a “tell all” book about her family and her children, which revealed various sexual secrets about her children as they grew up.
Fortunately for Judd, his old childhood sweetheart Penny (Rose Byrne) is back in town. The rabbi (Ben Schwartz) is an old family friend who has been tormented by the Altman siblings since his youth.
It’s quite a set-up, an ensemble cast of mixed characters with interlocking histories in close quarters, who are forced to accommodate their past anger and present disappointments. Think Parenthood mixed with The Big Chill.
What happens? The adult kids argue, couples split, others get together, all of it proceeding from the notion that the romantic relationship we have at age 20 affects us forever.
With one exception, the overladen plot is predictable, with director Shawn Levy (Date Night, Night at the Museum and The Internship) usually telegraphing plot points well in advance. Fortunately Levy has assembled a wonderful cast, with Jason Bateman the true stand-out.
Bateman, particularly known for his role as Michael Bluth in the TV series Arrested Development, has grown in stature as an actor.
Here he is the real star, on screen more than anyone else, and he truly shines. Judd is the “broken” brother, but also the most mature, the one who – through personality, wisdom and caring – helps everyone to heal.
This is Where I Leave You is currently screening.
PHOTO of Jane Fonda and Jason Bateman n This is Where I Leave You.
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