HOME AGAIN
Designs for life after 40…
CERTIFICATE 12A DIRECTOR Hallie Meyers-Shyer STARRING Reese Witherspoon, Michael Sheen, Candice Bergen SCREENPLAY Hallie Meyers-Shyer DISTRIBUTOR STX Entertainment RUNNING TIME 97 mins
Seems like you’ve got it all,” Alice Kinney’s envious best friend tells her, “child care, tech support and sex.” Alice (Reese Witherspoon), recently separated from her NY husband (Michael Sheen), has moved back to her native LA with her two young daughters and is trying to launch her career as a designer. Out celebrating her fortieth with two girlfriends, she encounters three young, aspiring filmmakers newly arrived in the city – and soon, with a little nudging from her mum (Candice Bergen), all three are installed in her summerhouse.
It doesn’t hurt that the actor Teddy is an IT whiz, the writer George is great with kids and the would-be director Harry – well, the age difference between him and Alice doesn’t seem to worry either too much. So, it’s all hunkydory until her husband shows up, suitcase in hand…
This debut feature from Hallie Meyers-Shyer (daughter of It’s Complicated writer/director Nancy Meyers, producing) showcases a neatly gauged performance from Witherspoon, not least in her sparring with Bergen. Sheen is excellent as always, while there’s fine support from the younger guys – especially Jon Rudnitsky as George. The only disappointment is the glib ending, which wraps things up rather too neatly.
THE VERDICT
A diverting social comedy with a hint of depth from debut director Meyers-Shyer, with Witherspoon on top form.