Kristen Wiig stars as Imogene a failed New York playwright awkwardly navigating the transition from Next Big Thing to Last Years News. After both her career and relationship hit the skids shes forced to make the humiliating move back home to New Jersey with her eccentric mother and younger brother (Annette Bening and Christopher Fitzgerald). Adding further insult to injury theres a strange man sleeping in her old bedroom (Darren Criss) and an even stranger man sleeping in her mothers bed (Matt Dillon). Through it all Imogene eventually realizes that as part of her rebuilding process she must finally come to love and accept both her family and her Jersey roots if shes ever going to be stable enough to get the hell away from them.
Review
Being a fan of Kristin Wiig I was excited for this movie. Then it was barely marketed quietly released poorly reviewed and flopped. I don't understand.
Kristin Wiig plays Imogene a neurotic and insecure woman unsuccessfully trying to make it as a writer in NYC. The character is very similar to the one she played in Bridesmaids....which is OK with me. I was more than happy to spend more time with this woman.
After faking a suicide attempt to get her ex boyfriend's attention Imogene winds up in the hospital. She is subsequently released to the custody of her mother played by Annette Bening who is simply terrific playing a character who reminded me of the Real Housewives of New Jersey.
Imogene returning to the tacky and dysfunctional home in New Jersey where she grew up makes for the comedy here. There are many laugh out loud moments. Living in the house is her mother's boyfriend George Boosh! (Matt Dillon) who claims to work for the CIA her somewhat mentally challenged but sweet younger brother and a border played by a very appealing Darren Criss whom Imogene develops an interest in.
There may be a bit too much going on in this film. A subplot of Imogene trying to find her biological father doesn't do too much to move the story along. The ending also goes way over the top. But ultimately Kristin Wiig makes Imogene a flawed yet lovable character who we root for. I left the theater in a great mood.