The Power of Reese Compels You in "Home Again"

Home Again is out on DVD and Blu-Ray. Here's Spencer Coile... 

Home Again is not a particularly good movie. The film debut of Nancy Meyers' daughter, Hallie Meyers-Shyer, follows Reese Witherspoon as she deals with motherhood, a recent separation... and the three young filmmakers she agrees to let stay with her for an extended period of time. Standard fare, right? And it is, despite that third curve. The writing is a little too on-the-nose, characters do not feel fully fleshed out, and the editing implies serious cuts were made. Still, though, it is hard not to be won over due heavily to Witherspoon herself... 

Saddled with the type of role we've seen in many a romantic comedy, Witherspoon plays Alice Kinney, daughter of renowned film director John Kinney. In an opening voiceover that gives us every possible bit of exposition we never knew we wanted, Alice makes it very clear that she is not famous, that she is separated, that she is a mother, etc. Everything is made abundantly clear within the first five minutes. And perhaps the beauty of the film is that is takes us exactly where we expect it to go.  

I saw Home Again in a tiny theater in the middle of Indiana several months ago. It was about an hour drive, but I was dedicated to supporting Reese during her banner year. And while Home Again was not an especially memorable film, I was struck with an odd sensation -- sitting in that near empty theater, I was comforted.

The film wraps up with a nice little bow at the end, complete with Carole King's "Home Again" playing in the background, and as the credits began to roll, there was a general sweetness lingering. In retrospect, this was not because of the film, but because of Reese Witherspoon. 

Our leading lady plays Alice Kinney with all the familiar beats of a run-of-the-mill heroine in a romantic comedy. She is awkward around men, ugly cries in the mirror, and gets sloppy drunk on a blind date. Indeed, Home Again treads a path that we have seen dozens of times before and will surely see after, and while Witherspoon does not give an earth shattering comedic performance here, she just permeates warmth and positivity. Even when the film around her is an utter mess, she still manages to stand on top of the rubble and give this film its beating heart.

Witherspoon has no acting tricks up her sleeve this time, no moment that will leave you breathless. Come on, this isn't Election, Legally Blonde, Wild, or Big Little Lies. And sure, Home Again may soon be forgotten with the likes of Witherspoon's lesser films (Hot Pursuit, I'm looking at you). But sometimes all we need from Witherspoon is to just show up and sparkle. That's all the magic. 

My memory of Home Again may be fading, but the experience of seeing Home Again is still rich. And that's not just due to  Reese Witherspoon, but the film's familiarity. It provided a necessary comfort that I needed in the moment. And this all may sound bizarre; taking a quick jaunt to see a movie that you know will probably not be very good. But something about it was deeply personal and altogether soothing.

As you all cram in those final movies of 2017 to finish your end-of-the-year lists, I urge you -- not to watch Home Again, necessarily (although I do recommend it). But to take the time to watch those films that give you that "home again" feeling. 

And while we're at it, Richard Lawson posed this query on Twitter back in October, and the answer still haunts me to this day. Only now, I ask, "how do I incorporate Home Again into my festive holiday outfits?"

Comments

[thevoid99]

One of the gripes I have about Nancy Meyers as a filmmaker is that a lot of her films are set in very posh or middle-upper class environments that I can't relate to. Seeing that her daughter is following the same template as her mother, it was obvious where this film was going. I love Reese Witherspoon when she steps out of her comfort zone but I have no interest in this.

[Edward L.]

thevoid99: But if we only watch films set in environments we can relate to, we'll never step outside our comfort zones, no?