Home Again (2017)

Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Michael Sheen, Candice Bergen, Pico Alexander, Nat Wolff, Jon Rudnitsky

Director: Hallie Meyers-Shyer

Alice (Witherspoon) is an almost divorced single mother, and the daughter of a famous film maker. When she winds up allowing three young men to move in (Alexander, Wolff and Rudnitsky) she finds her life turned upside down, and learns some lessons about friendship, love and starting over.

This film got so much crap from the critics that I got kind of curious. What was going on? I think the problem with this film is maybe two things. Largely, the plotting is very soft. There’s not a strong plot with no hard or original themes being explored. There’s not a really strong reason for the guys to move in, it kind of happens. And their relationship with her family is really lovely, but also isn’t a huge intervention. You get the idea that if these three guys hadn’t come along, things would probably have gone OK. Secondly, and perhaps because of the soft plot, the script feels a little cheesey sometimes and the acting therefore is a bit self conscious or situations feel contrived, at times.

So it’s a terrible film then? Well, actually, no. I kinda liked it. It’s not something I would normally choose for myself, I don’t like chick flicks. But I do like Reese Witherspoon. I liked that in this film, the main character is not in her 20’s, she has her own life, her own self hood, and she falls for a younger guy. That’s rare to see, and it’s handled so naturally. I also liked that his maturity (or lack of it) was addressed, as it might be in a real situation. That was cool.

There are some really sweet moments with the guys bonding with the daughters, or being decent friends to Alice, which felt really lovely too. And Candice Bergen’s turn as Alice’s mother and the star of Alice’s fathers most famous films, was often quite funny and nicely done.

I think this film just feels a little light and a little cheesey. But I find all chick flicks a bit like that, personally. So I decided to go with it. It’s not a great film, but if you like these kinds of dramas, and you know who you are, then you probably won’t mind all that much. Personally, I’ve seen some movies in this genre that I’ve enjoyed a lot less.

See It If: this is one for those of you who love chick flicks, it’s simple and sweet, if a little light.