Home Again: Movie Review
Hallie Meyers-Shyer (daughter of Nancy Meyers) makes her feature film debut as writer/director of the romantic-comedy, “Home Again”. Much like her mother’s works (“Father of the Bride”, “Something’s Gotta Give”, and “It’s Complicated”), it is easy to see that Hallie has been heavily influenced by Nancy. As a filmmaker, she still has a bit to learn, but her mother’s gift for creating timeless comedies with likable characters has been inherited.
Alice Kinney (Reese Witherspoon) is not having the easiest time being a single mom in Los Angeles. Between dealing with her separation from her husband, Austen (Michael Sheen) and her daughters dealing with living in a new city, Alice is trying her best to keep it together.
During a night out on her 40th birthday, Alice meets Harry (Pico Alexander), Teddy (Nat Wolff), and George (Jon Rudnitsky), three friends who came to Los Angeles to get their movie made. In an odd turn of events, the three twenty-something fellas wind up moving into Alice’s guesthouse and they instantly become part of the family, bonding with the young girls, while also making Alice feel less lonely.
Although the “Home Again” is utterly predictable and based on an absurd premise, Meyers-Shyer is-able-to make it work. It is at its’ best when centered on Alice and the trio of wannabe-filmmakers. Things get a little too familiar when Austen pops back into the picture to cause some drama. There aren’t any bad guys or unlikable characters. Well, aside from Lake Bell who play’s Alice’s unhinged client. Even Austen is mildly sympathetic. If you are looking for something light and you happen to be a fan of Witherspoon, then “Home Again” is for you.
By: Marc Ferman