Judd Altman goes home to attend his father’s funeral in a stage of his life that, well, sucks really bad.
He’s just caught his wife cheating on him. With his boss. So he’s wifeless and jobless.
And now he’s forced to sit shiva with two brothers, a sister, in-laws, and a mother who wrote a tell-all book about the family a quarter century ago that all four Altman children agree messed them all up badly.
“This Is Where I Leave You” is a fabulous movie. Jason Bateman is terrific as the shell-shocked guy who doesn’t want to be there, and Tina Fey is outstanding as his wise but loopy sister. Jane Fonda is great as their mother, who loves showing off the work she had done on her breasts. Adam Driver and Corey Stoll as the youngest and oldest brothers make this a truly realistic dysfuntional brood.
They pick at each other and grappl. And, yes, they defend one another and make up and make nice and come to terms with a lot of change. In other words, the Altmans can make you think of your own family not so good times and way better times.
It’s complicated, the plot and the relationships, with serious parts and funny parts.
Like life, no?
If you’d like to read my more extensive weekly review blog for the attractive Syracuse New Times site, click the link below.
http://www.syracusenewtimes.com/might-see-family-altmans/
Has a family get-together in stressful times result in better relationships? Did you and your siblings bicker about the same things as adults as when children? Did somebody in your family get their appearance worked on and then like to show it off?
Mark Bialczak 
I’d like to see this movie, but my husband not so much. We just saw Liam Neeson in ‘A Walk Among the Tombstones.’ We’re now waiting for ‘Gone Girl’ and ‘Interstellar.’
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My dear wife Karen has already put the request in for us to see “Gone Girl.” She’s read it and loved it. I’m in, Kate.
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LOL! Jason Bateman is always awesome in movies, so thanks to your review, I’ll add this to my “must see” list. Better relationships? No. Sadly, 99% of my family sucks, so I avoid them. Great post! 😀
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Yes, I am following your family stories. Sadly. Sorry. Again. We can’t pick ’em, Rachel.
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This is true. But then that makes me appreciate friends that much more. 🙂
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Sounds like a fun movie, Mark. It certainly has a terrific cast. 😉
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Yes, the casting in this one is right on, Judy. Fantastic chemstry.
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I adore Jason Bateman. I am so glad to see him getting roles and roles. And Tina Fey???? I am eagerly looking forward to this one. The complete chaos of this movie seems so …real. We all know someone who has gone through this kind of bsc life moment.
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Yes, it is very real. Chaotic and real. Enjoy if you get the chance to see it, Colleen.
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No appearance enhancing going on in my family, Chum. We were blessed with good genes for the most part, but my mother now wants a nip and tuck, so I can’t say we’ll never do it.
This movie looks good, I think. I will let you know if I check it out. Saw the Maze Runner Saturday night…wow.
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Let your mom be the front runner, Aud. By decades and decades, I’d say!
“Maze Runner” does look very intense, indeed!
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Because I trust your opinion, Mark, I am putting this on my “must see” list. I hope I can steal enough time away from other things to actually see a movie in the theater. Thanks for the review!
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This would be a great one to see in the theater, Ann. It’s worth the two hours, I promise.
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I am a big fan of family shows for adults. I am one who likes drama mixed with her comedy. Sometimes it is a hard combination to do, but this seems to ‘fit the bill,’ Mark! I like the actors/actresses and will see this soon, (I hope!) Oh, the bands at the fair Saturday night, played a combination of oldies, like Beach Boys and Steely Dan, along with some of the ones that are timeless like Lynyrd Skynyrd and Springsteen. The first band was called, Black Leather Touch and the second one was Phil Dirt and the Dozers. I thought about you and wondered whether they would have been professional enough… I enjoyed with my friends, Anna, Corey (Corey’s Dad, Mike) and Peggy.
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Don’t think a band has to be super slick for me to like it, Robin. I like high school bands, local bands, corner bar bands, big bands, little bands. You get my drift. Oh, and bands that play Steely Dan and Sprigsteen, I love them!
Yes, go see this movie. It is all about the family drama, Robin.
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I will see this and looking forward to reading the book, when winter starts and I have time… Thanks for the fun comments about bands. I think you would have liked the group. A lot of the men and women got up and danced! Take care and enjoy the rest of your week, Mark!
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I definitely want to see this flick…
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It’s really well-written, Austin, which I know is a must for you.
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Plus that cast looks amazing.
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Yes, quite the deep ensemble.
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🙂
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I cannot wait to see this movie! So glad you thought it lived up to the hype. Have a good friend who says the book is also phenom.
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Yes, I will also reverse my usual routine and read the book after seeing the movie for this one, Kay. Thanks for the reminder about that!
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Sounds complicated and funny and real. Bateman and Fey just add to the talent.
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Yes, Bateman and Kay seem like real siblings. That’s a tough relationship to make believable, I think, Kerbey.
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another one i can’t wait to see, i am a huge justin bateman fan and i love these family thrown together through circumstances movies – loved you review
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Justin is even better than his sister, I think, Beth. The real life acress, I mean, Justine. He’s equal to movie sis Tina. Thanks for the kind words about my review. That means a lot to me. ))
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you’re a natural at writing them, mark –
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Dying laughing, Mark. Oh yes, somebody got some work done and loved to show “them” off. She even wanted me to feel them to prove how realistic they were. Not that we’re a weird family or anything….
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Yes! It does happen in real life. I knew it. I think I’d like your family, Barbara. 🙂
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Thank you for all the great reviews Mark, this is another one I put on my “to see” list because of your thoughtful insight.
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You’re welcome, Chess, and I’m glad to help you out whenever I can, of course!
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🙂
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Have had my eye on this movie from the first time I’d read it was on its way. Huge Jason Bateman fan from Silver Spoons on, I would see anything he’s in. Dodge Ball and Arrested Development are two faves. Looks like this movie will be a third 🙂 Thanks for the review!
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You will dig it, I’m sure, Liz, from our Kindredness. 🙂
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I trust your judgment, Mark. I’m seeing this movie. Thank YOU! Love, Amy
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I have a feeling you will love it, too, Amy! 🙂
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Can’t wait to see this movie!!
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You are going to love it, Jolene, I can tell from your blog stories of similar great and odd times!
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This sounds like an excellent movie Mark. Thanks for the great review. I am an only child and my parents divorced early, so there were no family get togethers. I have attended others’ get togethers as the other half, over the years. that’s a bit touchy but usually enjoyable.
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Being the in-law has its advantages sometimes, doesn’t it, Paul? Being in the middle of the boiling blood, though, you can’t beat that, either. Sorry you missed out on the sibling feuds, my friend.
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The book was great and I was skeptical that the movie would hold up. I’m so glad you feel it did!
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I am now on course to go to the book to compare, Mimi. I always like the book better, so it will have to be very great in this case. Let me know what you think seeing the movie s the second part of the see-saw, please and thank you!
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