THIS IS WHERE I LEAVE YOU

Jason Bateman, Jane Fonda,

Tina Fey, Adam Driver, Timothy Olyphant

Corey Stoll, Rose Byrne, Dax Shepard

"Welcome Home.
Get Uncomfortable."

This film takes off after the patriarch dies and the grieving widow (Jane Fonda) wants all her children to come home for the burial. This sets in motion a dysfunctional family set up where siblings who haven't really kept in touch with each other nor with their mother are now stuck in one big house.

There are a few enjoyable moments. The emphasis is on 'few'. But it is all mostly sanitized, safe way to show how the adult kids lives get complicated as past loves, current frustrations and their shortcomings come to fore. But problems which tend to be mostly self-involved as it is wont to happen in this selfie obsessed times. 

The problem with a plot that has an ensemble cast (even if they are composed of good actors) is not all the characters are given enough narrative. Too many characters and side plots and it gets to the point where it all becomes one big mess and quite maddening. They should have really just focused on the characters played by Tina Fey and Jason Bateman as they were the most interesting among the siblings. 

"This is Where I Leave You" mostly works in part due to its good casting of credible actors like Jane Fonda, Tina Fey and Jason Bateman. It was nice to see them interact as family members with many predictable yet not too serious problems. But as dysfunctional family dramedy goes, I've honestly seen worse depictions of this popular genre.

BOYHOOD

Ethan Hawke, Patricia Arquette,

Lorelei Linklater, Ellar Coltrane

"12 Years in the Making"

Aside from the fact that director Richard Linklater ("Before" trilogy) willingly took twelve long years to film this movie, there isn't much to rave about, really. So I don't really understand how it managed to get the critics nods and garner all the nominations for the best picture category in all the major awards.

"Boyhood" tells the story of Mason who we first see as a 5 year old boy until he reaches 18 years old. He grows up in different households as his mom isn't so lucky when it comes to maintaining her relationships.

Granted that it is a cinematic feat and a lifetime endeavor for its director, having to see the same actors evolve through the years without much conflict would qualify for me more as a documentary than a movie. It won't even be a reality show since those have more drama for our own good yet they are addicting to watch, don't you agree?

Sure it is a unique concept of filming a movie over 12 years with the same cast. But unless you got a very good story and a strong plot to begin with it, it just ends without any impact where nothing of note ever really happens. Except for the visible fact that the kid grows up right before your eyes from a cute little boy to an ordinary young adult.  It deals with how Mason relates with his divorced parents, his older sister as well as the various guys who become his stepfather(s) and the world in general.

But still Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke's performances deserve recognition. As the divorced parents of Mason, they provide support and proper guidance for the son to grow up, for lack of a better word, decent. He is basically a good person with no vices or strange hang ups. He is just as normal as can be.

Seeing Ethan Hawke visibly age and coming into this frequently absent father role is great. He gives a credible portrayal of any divorced father who is trying to be a better parent. Patricia Arquette may not be a big star but she has always been a steady actress. Here as the mom who is not perfect (nobody is perfect, anyway!) but continues to be the best mother she can be given her various limitations, she is impressive.

BEGIN AGAIN

Mark Ruffalo, Keira Knightley,

Adam Levine, Catherine Keener

"You're Only as Strong as
Your Next Move"

John Carney, the director of the much acclaimed indie movie "Once" presents us with a similar story but with better actors and better songs. I have to admit I didn't really like "Once" for the acting skills of the leads were a major turn off. Yes, granted that he got non-professionals to play the roles but still it didn't move me as much as I expected it to.

Well good thing that "Begin Again" had Mark Ruffalo in it and even though the plot is a bit predictable, his mere presence made it all worth while. As the title implies, it is a movie about second chances and the opportunity to make wrong things, right.

After Dave (Adam Levine) lands a major record deal with a label in New York, he and his music songwriter/girlfriend Gretta (Keira Knightley) move to the Big Apple. As it usually happens, Dave gets eaten up by the fame, glory as well as infidelity and shortly after leaves Gretta all alone. Literally and figuratively since Dave has hooked up with someone else and Gretta now faces a lonely existence in a city where she hardly knows anyone. Except for one musician friend named Steve. He manages to convince her to perform her song at a small gig.

Coincidentally, a down on his luck, music executive portrayed by Mark Ruffalo named Dan is in the audience and is immediately captured by her raw talent. Dan is not really in a good place, he has been disgraced at work and he has to deal with a cheating wife. Yet he believes he has found the next best new artist in the person of Gretta and he goes all out to record, market and promo her single.

The film showcases their encounters and adventures as they record her song in various sights in the city that never sleeps. Their conversations are polite and they maintain a professional relationship throughout their sessions. Even as we see them dealing with their personal life in the sidelines. 

I like how they were able to maintain a platonic relationship even though there was a certain attraction between them, they never acted on them. Their chemistry was evident but it was good they took the unconventional route and didn't end up as a couple. They both have some deep personal wounds that needed time to heal and it is just right they maintain a good working partnership without the trappings of romance hindering their goals.

It was refreshing to hear Keira Knightley' singing voice and watch her playing the guitar. Although it wasn't a strong tone, she still kept it in tune. Adam Levine from the Maroon 5 band was authentic in his portrayal as basically a jerk. He sometimes gives out that vibe even though we all know that his antics on "The Voice" are mostly scripted. Mark Ruffalo is a much underrated actor but he can do no work in my books. I've always been a big fan of his work both as an actor and a vocal advocate for climate change and the protection of the environment.

I liked "Begin Again" better than "Once". It kept things as real and realistic as can be. A film about moving onward despite numerous challenges which can bring anyone down yet choosing not to quit  but to face them, head on. In the process, a renewed mind, body and soul emerges and suddenly life doesn't seem as dim as we anticipated it to be.