The Land of Steady Habits

Name: The Land of Steady Habits
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Released: September 14, 2018
Duration: 98 min
Rating: 71
Cast: Ben Mendelsohn, Bill Camp, Charlie Tahan, Connie Britton, Edie Falco

2018

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 17 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 18 Ratings

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5.9

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5.9	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 18 Ratings

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The Land Of Steady Habits

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Movie Details & Credits

Netflix | Release Date: September 14, 2018 | TV-MA

Starring: Ben Mendelsohn, Bill Camp, Charlie Tahan, Connie Britton, Edie Falco, Elizabeth Marvel, Josh Pais, Michael Gaston, Natalie Gold, Sarah Wilson, Thomas Mann, Victor Slezak, Victor Williams

Summary: Anders Hill, long ensconced in "the land of steady habits"-the affluent hamlets of Connecticut that dot the commuter rail line-is finally ready to reap the rewards of a sensible life. Into his mid fifties and newly retired, his grown son's college tuitions paid in full, Anders decides he's had enough of steady habits: he leaves his wife,Anders Hill, long ensconced in "the land of steady habits"-the affluent hamlets of Connecticut that dot the commuter rail line-is finally ready to reap the rewards of a sensible life. Into his mid fifties and newly retired, his grown son's college tuitions paid in full, Anders decides he's had enough of steady habits: he leaves his wife, buys a condo, and waits for freedom to transform him. Stripped of the comforts of his previous identity, Anders embarks on a clumsy, and heartbreaking journey to reconcile his past with his present. [Netflix]… Expand

Director: Nicole Holofcener

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy

Rating: TV-MA

Runtime: 98 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

The Playlist Rodrigo Perez

Sep 13, 2018

Holofcener knows human pathos, the melancholic, absurdist tragedy of it all, the laughter, the tears, the dark biting irony. She understands human behavior and her sharp, well-observed ‘Land Of Steady Habits’ is as lovely and near amazing as anything she’s made thus far. Read full review

The Guardian Jake Nevins

Sep 13, 2018

The Land of Steady Habits, though not as funny and breezy as Enough Said or Friends With Money or Please Give, is a natural extension of Holofcener’s work, the totality of which is, in part, a rebuke of the idea that likability is necessary or even desirable in film characters. Read full review

David Edelstein

Sep 18, 2018

The movie’s central motif — rituals that dull pain and heighten unhappiness — doesn’t clobber you. It seeps into you. Read full review

RogerEbert.com Brian Tallerico

Sep 12, 2018

Despite a few very funny beats, and a charming performance from the great Ben Mendelsohn, there’s an air of tragedy throughout “Steady Habits,” as if everyone is one bottle of wine away from doing or saying something they will regret forever. In other words, it’s an insightful portrait of middle-age in the ‘10s. Read full review

Leah Greenblatt

Sep 13, 2018

As the tone wobbles between absurdity and tragedy, it also starts to shift toward something deeper and more bittersweet than mere midlife ennui. A lot of that is down to Mendelsohn, an actor who seems born to embody Holofocener’s kind of hero: weary and wounded but still putting it out there, a beautiful mess in progress. Read full review

Sheri Linden

Sep 13, 2018

The familiar suburban terrain is enriched by Holofcener's knack for turning offhand moments into piercing ones and, especially, by a magnificently off-center Ben Mendelsohn. Read full review

Owen Gleiberman

Sep 13, 2018

No matter how much you want to like the film, something is missing: a spark, a shimmer, a thrust of discovery. Read full review

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User Reviews

Brent_Marchant

Sep 16, 2018

Despite a slight tendency to meander at times, this atmospheric look at the illusion of life in suburbia and the supposed joy that comes from living a life of routine and conformity skewers many widely held misconceptions about what it takes to be and stay happy. When a divorced middle-agedDespite a slight tendency to meander at times, this atmospheric look at the illusion of life in suburbia and the supposed joy that comes from living a life of routine and conformity skewers many widely held misconceptions about what it takes to be and stay happy. When a divorced middle-aged man looks for the contentment he didn't find in marriage, he's confronted with the challenge of figuring out what that entails, especially when it comes to his quest for trying to be a better person. This sometimes-humorous, sometimes-melancholic exploration features excellent performances and characters who are probably more real than most of us might feel comfortable looking at. Director Nicole Holofcener again proves that she's one of the most insightful filmmakers in the business today, delivering yet another fine offering in her excellent repertoire.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

justwibi

Oct 27, 2018

Just ordinary mid-life crisis story. but still enjoyed to watch. The conversation between Charlie & Anders is my favorite part!

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

whoischarlotte

Sep 25, 2018

This film did a good job of presenting real, relatable topics in adult life. But it fell flat every now and then, so didn't quote do it for me. A decent watch.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JLuis_001

Feb 11, 2020

The film is messy yet good but the most important element of it, is that is another good reminder of how underrated Ben Mendelsohn is.
He seriously deserves more recognition.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

MLis

Aug 24, 2020

For a movie clearly aiming to be a 'slice of life' vignette, the situations are routinely implausible enough to make the viewer bristle at the suggestion they should represent anything realistic. Add to this a cast of characters who are largely unsympathetic, out-of-touch, selfish, ageistFor a movie clearly aiming to be a 'slice of life' vignette, the situations are routinely implausible enough to make the viewer bristle at the suggestion they should represent anything realistic. Add to this a cast of characters who are largely unsympathetic, out-of-touch, selfish, ageist (going both ways) and a bit dumb, and it adds up to have a viewing experience of which I honestly can't understand the appeal.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

DSBROWNE1956

Sep 25, 2018

Stereotypical characters, trite. predictable dialogue, wooden acting (or worse). What's to like?

I'll give them, credit for trying to present an unusual side of male menopause. But that's it.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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