Why people recommend it
This Is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper is a contemporary comic novel about a dysfunctional family forced to sit shiva together after the death of their patriarch. The book was discussed on SmartLess in August 2022 when guest Shawn Levy appeared on the program. Shawn Levy recalled that because he was primarily known as a family comedy director who had worked on films like The Pink Panther, Cheaper by the Dozen, Date Night, and Night at the Museum, he pursued the rights to Jonathan Tropper's novel for five years before finally securing the project. He shared his excitement about assembling his dream cast for the adaptation, which featured Jason Bateman and Adam Driver. Later in the same conversation, Shawn Levy reflected on the early days on set and mentioned actress Jodie Comer, comparing her to Jane Fonda in their movie adaptation as she quietly observed the funny moments around her and wondered how she would fit into the mix. Rose Byrne also mentioned the title during a SmartLess episode in August 2023, noting in a brief conversational aside that she had worked with Jason Bateman on the film version of This Is Where I Leave You, emphasizing the cinematic adaptation's title while discussing her acting career and collaborative experiences in Hollywood.
Who recommended it
Mentioned on the show without a named speaker — 3
“But you know, I've worked with Jason too, I've worked out two out of three of you guys which is pretty... This Is Where I Leave You!”
“So like because I was the family comedy guy and I done like Pink Panther and Cheaper by the Dozen and Date Night and Night at the Museum and I found this book called This Is Where I Leave You and I chased it for five years and I got the cast of my dreams, it's Jason with Adam Driver”
“However, in the first few days on set, she was like Jane Fonda in our movie 'This Is Where I Leave You.' She was observing the funny moments around her and wondering how she could fit in the mix.”