What I Watched -- This Is Where I Leave You

I found myself on an airplane recently with limited options as far as in-flight movies went, and This Is Where I Leave You stood out as one of the better possibilities. I love Jason Bateman and his incredibly expressive face, and the rest of the cast (including, but not limited to, Tina Fey, Adam Driver, Jane Fonda, and more) is pretty impressive as well.

I also thought that it was one that had been on my list of movies I wanted to see (though, being airborne, I couldn't access that).  I checked later and it turned out that I was right!  So satisfying to be able to mark anything off any kind of list, even a movie!

The four siblings all come home after their father's death.  As if just his death weren't enough stress, they all begin to push each other's buttons in ways both good and bad.  They are also in their hometown again, which brings up all kinds of memories and the presence of old friends.  

It was everything I expected and hoped. It's about how family, though messy and complicated, is still family for good or ill -- even through all the secrets and deep ways of knowing each other. It's a sweet dramedy with a few genuine laughs.  

And, aside from a couple of quick scenes, it's a great airplane watch. (I always feel self-conscious about about airplane movie choices. Am I the only one? One of my favorite pop culture podcasts did an episode on good airplane movie choices, which highlights a lot of good things to think about in making an airplane movie choice. Check out their suggestions here.)