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Here's a look at the new movie I saw this week.

Labor Day
Starring: Kate Winslet, Josh Brolin, Gattlin Griffith, and Clark Gregg
Synopsis: Jason Reitman is a promising young filmmaker. His first feature film, “Thank You For Smoking,” was probably the best film of 2005. His second and third features, “Juno” and “Up In The Air,” were Best Picture nominees. His fourth feature, “Young Adult,” earned critical acclaim and a smattering of award nominations. It also marked a bit of a stylistic departure. But not as much of a departure as “Labor Day,” which was released nationwide on January 31. The film is based on the novel by Joyce Maynard, and it tells an unlikely love story. Those expecting something similar to what Reitman offered in his first four films are in for a surprise. “Labor Day” is a fine film in a certain sense. It feels like a by-the-numbers story. There are some moments of emotional heft, mainly at the end, but sometimes they don’t feel truly earned. But it’s a movie that offers something unexpected. I have been a big advocate of Reitman’s early films. I thought “Up In The Air” deserved to win Best Picture in 2009, “Juno” was one of my favorite films of  2007 and “Thank You For Smoking” was the best film I saw in 2005. They all had a certain style. There were genuinely honest and heart-breaking emotional moments in each film, but there was also a beautiful and offbeat sense of humor. There were rich characters, a rich world and a rich sense of engagement with the material. That’s missing in “Labor Day.” If it was done by someone else it would probably feel like an average film that tells a mildly interesting story. But given the breadth of Reitman’s previous films, it feels like an odd miss. There is clearly something about the material that drew him in — perhaps the story, or perhaps a chance to stretch and try something new. Whatever it was, the end product is satisfactory, but it’s not unique, compelling or particularly memorable. Winslet and Brolin deliver fine performances. Griffith holds his own in some tough scenes with more seasoned actors, and Gregg is always a pleasant delight no matter the project. But you keep waiting for something interesting or extraordinary to happen here, and nothing does. “Labor Day” is a somber and serious film, marking a serious tonal departure for Reitman. Perhaps he wanted to try his hand at something new, which happens with filmmakers, but this feels like a miss. One can only hope that his next venture veers a little closer to the style and tone that earned his first films critical acclaim and award nominations. As for this latest endeavor, it’s a perfectly serviceable film, I’m just not sure what we’re supposed to take away from it.
Rating: PG-13 for thematic material, brief violence and sexuality.
Verdict: Two stars out of four.

Upcoming Releases:

Friday, February 7 — "The Lego Movie," "The Monuments Men," "Vampire Academy"

Wednesday, February 12 — "Robocop"

Friday, February 14 — "A Winter's Tale," "About Last Night," "Endless Love"

Friday, February 21 — "Pompeii," "Three Days to Kill," "Welcome to Yesterday"

Friday, February 28 — "Son of God," "Non-Stop"