This Is Where I Leave You Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A guy having the worst week of his life has to hang out with his crazy family for seven days after his dad dies, because Jewish tradition requires you to deal with your relatives’ mess while you’re dealing with your own.

🍿 This Is Where I Leave You: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Judd’s Double Blow

The movie opens with Judd Altman’s life collapsing. He discovers his wife, Quinn, is having an affair with his boss, Wade. Simultaneously, he learns of his father, Mort’s, passing. This sets the stage for a week of family drama and self-discovery as Judd returns to his childhood home.

The Shiva and Family Dynamics

The Altman siblings—Judd, Wendy, Paul, and Phillip—gather at their mother Hilary’s house to sit Shiva, a Jewish mourning tradition. Hilary, a therapist who wrote a book exposing the family’s secrets, insists on the tradition. Each sibling is dealing with personal issues, creating tension and humor as they navigate their relationships.

Secrets and Revelations

As the week progresses, secrets are revealed. Quinn shows up pregnant with Judd’s child, complicating his feelings and relationships. Wendy reconnects with her childhood sweetheart, Horry, who has a brain injury. Paul and Annie struggle with infertility, leading to strained interactions. Phillip’s immature behavior clashes with his older girlfriend, Tracy.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Judd Altman (Jason Bateman): A radio producer reeling from his wife’s infidelity and his father’s death, who is forced to confront his family and life choices.
• Hilary Altman (Jane Fonda): The over-sharing matriarch of the Altman family, a therapist who wrote a revealing book about her children and harbors a long-held secret.
• Wendy Altman (Tina Fey): Judd’s sister and confidante, struggling with her own loveless marriage while still harboring feelings for her brain-injured childhood sweetheart.
• Phillip Altman (Adam Driver): The immature and irresponsible youngest Altman brother, who brings his older therapist girlfriend to the shiva.
• Paul Altman (Corey Stoll): The stern and responsible older brother, running the family business and struggling with infertility issues.
• Penny Moore (Rose Byrne): Judd’s high school crush who has always carried a torch for him and offers him a second chance.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Judd Altman: “It’s hard to see people from your past when your present is so cataclysmically screwed up, you know.” – Judd reflects on the awkwardness of reconnecting with old acquaintances amidst his personal turmoil.
• Hilary Altman: “We’re Altmans. We feel everything.” – Hilary explains the intensity and emotional nature of her family to Phillip’s girlfriend, Tracy.
• Phillip Altman: “I’m mature enough to realize I’m not mature enough.” – Phillip acknowledges his shortcomings and immaturity to his girlfriend, Tracy.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $19.8M
• Domestic Gross: $34.3M
• Worldwide Gross: $41.3M

💥 This Is Where I Leave You Reviews

Personal Review

I really enjoyed ‘This Is Where I Leave You’! The cast has amazing chemistry and the family felt so real, even with all their craziness. I loved the scenes with Jason Bateman and Rose Byrne – their awkwardness was so endearing, and the rooftop conversations between Bateman and Tina Fey felt incredibly genuine. It made me want to call my own siblings, even though they drive me nuts sometimes.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of ensemble cast dramedies.”
  • “Viewers who appreciate family-centric stories.”
  • “Those who enjoy movies with themes of loss, acceptance, and self-discovery.”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Infidelity and marital issues.”
  • “Strong language and sexual content.”
  • “Drug use.”
  • “Discussion of grief and loss.”

Professional Reviews

• AARP Movies for Grownups: “A solid, well-acted dramedy about the messy dynamics of family. This film tackles loss, infidelity, and reconnection with humor and heart, making it a relatable experience for anyone who’s ever navigated complicated family relationships.
• ReelViews: “Shawn Levy proves he can deliver more than just goofy comedies. With a stellar cast, ‘This Is Where I Leave You’ mixes dark humor and genuine emotion. While some characters feel underdeveloped, the film offers a touching look at love, loss, and family bonds.
• Common Sense Media: “This dramedy has a great cast and some witty moments, but the story is a little uneven, and some jokes are recycled from other family comedies. The movie provides a lot of messy family drama, and genuine humanity.

Audience Reactions

The movie finds the hidden joys and awkward sadnesses in a group of people who sometimes love more than they like one another.: Viewers praise it for balancing humor with genuine emotion, making the characters relatable despite their flaws.

This is a heartwarming story with genuine dialog between characters and some conversations and interactions I have experienced firsthand.: The witty dialog and natural interactions made it a believable and enjoyable experience.

Overall Consensus: Generally well-received for its ensemble cast and blend of humor and drama, but some found the plot predictable or the humor immature. A good choice for fans of family dramedies.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is based on a novel of the same name by Jonathan Tropper, who also wrote the screenplay.”
• “Filming locations included Congregation KTI in Port Chester, New York, used for the synagogue exteriors.”

🖥️ How to Watch This Is Where I Leave You?

This Is Where I Leave You is available for streaming and purchase on various platforms. You can find it on services like Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu, where it is available for rent or purchase. Availability may vary by region, so check your local listings for the most accurate information. You can also often find it for sale on physical media like DVD and Blu-ray through major retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed This Is Where I Leave You, you might like these similar films:

• The Big Chill (1983): A group of college friends reunites after a death, confronting their past and present.
• August: Osage County (2013): A dysfunctional family gathers after a death, leading to explosive confrontations and revelations.
• Dan in Real Life (2007): Explores the complexities of family relationships with humor and heart, focusing on reconnection and personal growth.
• Little Miss Sunshine (2006): Focuses on a dysfunctional family road trip and their bonds as they support each other.

🛒 This Is Where I Leave You Related Products

• This Is Where I Leave You [Blu-ray]: Own the movie on Blu-ray to relive your favorite Altman family moments. Includes behind-the-scenes features and deleted scenes.
• This Is Where I Leave You: A Novel by Jonathan Tropper: Read the book that inspired the film! Discover the original source material and delve deeper into the Altman family’s complex relationships.
• Family Tree DNA Test Kit: Uncover your own family history and learn about your heritage with a DNA test. Find out what makes your family unique!
• Arrested Development: The Complete Series [DVD]: If you love Jason Bateman’s comedic timing, check out ‘Arrested Development’. This DVD is a hilarious series, just like his role as Judd Altman in this film.

🎧 Soundtrack

This Is Where I Leave You features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Fall At Your Feet” – performed by Saint Raymond
• “Hallelujah” – performed by Jeff Buckley
• “I Shall Be Released” – performed by The Band

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

This Is Where I Leave You Featurette – This Is Phillip & Tracy

Want to know more about the troubled but captivating Phillip and Tracy from ‘This Is Where I Leave You’? Join Adam Driver and Corey Stoll in this featurette to dive deeper into their complex characters and the family drama that unfolds.

✨ Rate