Jonathan Tropper wrote the screenplay based on his book of the same name. Directed by Shawn Levy (Real Steel, Night at the Museum) this new American comedy features a cast of well known familiar faces such as Jane Fonda, Jason Bateman, Tina Fey, Adam Driver and Cory Stall. They are thrown together to portray the Altman family that has gathered for a week after the passing of their father. There was obviously no thought during the casting to make sure there is some family resemblance. Fortunately the quality of the talent is enough to forgive this oversight. It's an amusing dysfunctional sit com type of story with just enough family angst to make it interesting.
The movie starts with Judd (Jason Bateman) discovering his wife Quinn (Abigail Spencer) having an affair with his obnoxious radio shock jock boss Wade Beaufort (Dax Shepard). And it's been going on for the past year. When Judd has to return to the family home to mourn the death of his father, he doesn't want anyone to know that he's divorcing his wife. His mother Hillary (Jane Fonda) is a best selling author who wrote a guide for raising children based on her own kids. Which has basically scared them for life. Wendy (Tina Fey) is married with kids and a husband who rather work. Paul (Corey Stoll) who stayed in their small town to help run the family business, with his wife Alice (Kathryn Hahn). They are trying to have a baby. And there is Phillip (Adam Driver) the youngest and least responsible sibling who brings his psychologist older girlfriend Tracy (Connie Britton).
Mom says that their dad's last request was the family practice Shiva, a Jewish 7 day mourning period even though the kids say dad was an atheist. Every day they sit together while neighbors and friends come over to offer their condolences. As with every family which such a diverse group of personalities, the teasing, bickering, and typical sibling conflicts are played out. Wendy is still wondering what could have been with her old boyfriend Horry (Timothy Olyphant) who lives across the street. He suffered a brain injury and they had broken up. She is still attracted to him even though he's a little spacey. Judd meets up with an old classmate Penny (Rose Byrne) and begins to see a way out of his marriage failure depression.
There is so much going on in this movie from Fonda's prodigious bosom, the secret Quinn relays to Judd that will change his life, turning over Wade's car just for spite, and mom's big surprise at the end. There's some tender moments of family love and appreciation. There are moments of characters realizing their limitations and abilities to grow and move on. Worth it if you just need a light movie that will make you smile.
(Review by reesa)
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