This Is Where I Leave You Blu-ray Review

Warner's 1080p/AVC-encoded video presentation of "This Is Where I Leave You" is notable for its proficient render, albeit with certain limitations. The lifelike color palette adopts tamed hues over vibrant colors, allowing primaries to pop when necessary. Saturation is meticulously controlled, ensuring natural skintones and a balanced mix of cool and warm tones suited to each scene. There’s a consistent level of contrast with deep black levels and well-revealed delineation. The detail is generally excellent; edges are crisp and textures are sharp, though some scenes suffer from reduced clarity due to original lighting and photography. The encode is commendable, free from significant macroblocking, banding, aliasing, or other unsightly technical issues.

The digital cinematography on ARRI equipment introduces variable clarity between well-lit and darker scenes, with outdoor sequences displaying vibrant color and detail, while certain indoor scenes—such as the family's basement—appear dimmer and muted. There are instances of background noise, especially on solid objects like walls. Occasionally, the screen exhibits visual ‘jittering’ or jumping during camera pans, along with minor aliasing in parts. Despite these issues, black levels are resilient, and the overall sharpness and depth hold well except in a few darker scenes. Viewers with larger screens may notice these problems more prominently.

In terms of high-definition specifics: The AVC MPEG-4 encoding at 1080p resolution in a 2.40:1 aspect ratio maintains a satisfactory level of detail and depth suitable for this comedy. Even though the film handles somewhat rough material, the Blu-ray successfully avoids looking dark or dreary, offering a bright and colorful presentation without noticeable pixelation or banding issues. However, flesh tones fall short of the mark. Many female characters appear overly polished or ‘waxy,’ possibly due to excessive base makeup, which becomes distracting in high definition. Nevertheless, overall noise and artifacts are minimal, making this Blu-ray presentation technically sound although not without its imperfections.

The lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack on the Blu-ray release of "This Is Where I Leave You" presents a thoroughly engaging auditory experience. This film's sound design, while not overly complex, is executed with precision. The dynamic range and detailed clarity of the track enable the detection of subtle background sounds within the acoustic environment, enhancing the overall immersive experience. Dialogue reproduction is particularly noteworthy—firmly rooted in the center channel, voices are rendered with impressive clarity and tonal balance, ensuring intelligibility throughout. While low frequency effects aren’t particularly prominent, the subwoofer integrates seamlessly with the rest of the system to deliver bass that complements the on-screen action without overpowering it.

Front channel prioritization is evident in this dialogue-heavy film, with the majority of audio content concentrated upfront. Ambient effects and directionality, though understated, are implemented effectively through the rear speakers to enrich the soundfield. Michael Giacchino’s score underscores key moments with a subtle elegance, further deepening the viewer’s involvement in the narrative. Notably, specific scenes push the audio mix beyond its typical boundaries, and the track handles these demands without faltering, highlighting its robustness.

Beyond English, this release also includes Dolby Digital 5.1 tracks in French, Spanish, and Portuguese, alongside subtitles in English SDH, French, Spanish, and Portuguese. Overall, this DTS-HD MA track is deftly mixed to balance speech with ambient elements perfectly suited for a grounded drama-comedy. The audio quality is consistent, with no noticeable glitches or dropouts, offering a polished auditory experience that complements the film’s overall tone.

The extras on the Blu-ray of "This Is Where I Leave You" provide a thorough, engaging exploration of the film's creation, story elements, and characters. The audio commentary by screenwriter/executive producer Jonathan Tropper and director/producer Shawn Levy is particularly insightful, offering a comprehensive look at the adaptation process, character development, and casting decisions. Points of Departure consists of four featurettes focusing on different relationships in the film, enriched with cast and crew interviews. The Gospel According to Rabbi Boner delves into the character's quirks and Ben Schwartz's portrayal. Six deleted or extended scenes add depth but rightly were excluded to maintain the film’s tone. The Narrative Voice segments offer additional valuable insights from Levy and Tropper through both commentary and discussion formats.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Extensive overview by Tropper and Levy.
• Points of Departure: Four segments featuring cast and crew interviews.
• The Gospel According to Rabbi Boner: Exploration of the character and actor's performance.
• Deleted/Extended Scenes: Six scenes providing further context.
• The Narrative Voice: Detailed commentary and discussion with key creators.

"This Is Where I Leave You" crafts an emotionally resonant narrative that explores the nuanced dynamics of a dysfunctional family. Directed by Shawn Levy and based on Jonathan Tropper's 2010 novel, the film follows four siblings who reunite under their childhood roof after their father's passing. The plot marvelously balances chaos, humor, and heartache, drawing viewers into the frayed yet endearing relationships among its ensemble cast. The brisk 103-minute runtime, while energetic, leaves several characters underwritten and appears indecisive in narrative focus. Expanding or sharpening the story could have potentially transformed it into a more cohesive dramedy or comedy.

The film showcases a stellar cast, with Jason Bateman delivering a standout performance as Judd Altman. Bateman's portrayal is both deeply human and emotionally textured, distinguishing his character amidst the array of family issues, from lost loves to infertility struggles. Tina Fey, Corey Stoll, and Adam Driver complement Bateman with equally compelling performances, creating a vividly dysfunctional family tapestry. Despite the semi-contrived quirks and some underutilized roles, the movie maintains an engaging momentum through its conversationally sharp humor and genuine familial chemistry.

One of the film’s strengths lies in its refusal to neatly resolve each character’s arc, embodying a more grounded approach to storytelling. It eschews conventional happy endings, opting instead for an open-ended yet hopeful conclusion. While marketed inaccurately as a straightforward comedy, "This Is Where I Leave You" is more accurately a dramedy filled with poignant moments and subtle laughs. This mislabeling may have skewed audience expectations but does not detract from the film's heartfelt and authentic exploration of family complexities.

"This Is Where I Leave You" achieves a delicate balance between heartfelt drama and lighthearted moments, boasting compelling performances from a standout ensemble cast. Jason Bateman, in one of his finest roles, leads a talented group including Tina Fey, Adam Driver, Corey Stoll, and Jane Fonda. Despite some minor flaws such as occasionally over-manufactured character quirks and the limited development of fringe characters due to the film's brief runtime, the chemistry among the cast members shines brightly, making for an engaging viewing experience.

The Blu-ray rendition of the film is praiseworthy, offering excellent video presentation that captures the film’s visual nuances effectively. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track ensures a rich auditory experience, immersing viewers in both the humorous and poignant moments. Warner Bros has also included a commendable collection of extras, featuring a robust filmmakers’ commentary that adds depth to the viewing experience.

In conclusion, while "This Is Where I Leave You" may have been misbranded as a straightforward comedy, it thrives as a dramedy with strong dramatic undertones and genuine humor. Embrace the film for its sincere performances and cohesive family dynamics, and it will undoubtedly leave you entertained and moved. With a high-quality Blu-ray release that enhances both visual and audio elements, this film is a worthwhile addition to any collection. Recommended.