Family reunions can be tough, but the one featured in This Is Where I Leave You is beyond the pale. The story follows the very troubled members of the severely dysfunctional Altman clan, reunited and forced to sit shiva after the death of their patriarch. Individually, all are suffering from some form of domestic drama and the film follows the various sad and frustrated characters as they spend a week bickering, arguing and attempting to work out their personal problems. It’s unfortunate that viewers don’t get to know then well enough to become invested in their plight.
The main plotline follows Judd (Jason Bateman) who has just separated messily from his wife after catching her having an affair with his boss. But siblings Wendy (Tina Fey), Philip (Adam Driver) and Paul (Corey Stoll) have issues of their own. With multiple threads containing elements of with both comedy and fraught emotion, director Shawn Levy (Cheaper by the Dozen, The Pink Panther, Night at the Museum) can’t help but have a difficult time balancing these elements.
And like other movies with numerous characters, some stories function more effectively than others. On the plus side, the central relationship between Judd and high school love interest Penny (Rose Byrne) works quite well. There are amusing scenes between the two that carry some funny interchanges as the two awkwardly navigate their unexpected reunion after many years apart. And the occasional blow-up from Judd after being picked on by family members or having his secrets revealed also result in a laugh or two.
Unfortunately, many of the other comedic moments don’t come across nearly as funny. At times, the yelling and screaming verges on grating. And for every freak-out that is supposed to result in a laugh, there’s another meant to be serious. In fact, the drama overtakes the comedy quickly and much of the heavier themes are overplayed. The tone veers clumsily. Family members bicker in a catty manner (with some scenes punctuated by a potty-training toddler defecating) and moments later a slow and somber piano cue introduces a character in a depressed state. The less-than-smooth transitions feel very forced.
The most unfortunate subplot follows Wendy and her ex-boyfriend Horry (Timothy Olyphant). It’s a very sad and serious thread that examines Wendy’s guilt and frustration over losing the love of her life to a serious brain injury. This is exactly where a more subtle touch would have helped. The talented actors could have tackled this in an interesting way, but the approach is handled in far too big and superficial a manner – it veers dangerously close to unintentional parody.
When all is said and done, This Is Where I Leave You wants viewers to know that life is very complicated but that it’ll all work out. Additionally, they want you to know that in some respects this messiness it part of its beauty. Sadly, the concept doesn’t really hold true for the film itself. It may boast an exceptional cast and contain a few chuckles. Yet the movie can’t resolve its desire to be both a serious drama and a hysterical comedy. As a result, both elements suffer. This reunion is far more messy and muddled than it needed to be.