Greenberg is about a brief period in the life of Roger Greenberg, played wonderfully by Ben Stiller, a socially impaired man just about to turn 41. Just released from a mental hospital (the reason for his stay is left tantalizingly unknown for the most part), Greenberg moves into his brother's house for a spell to set his life in order. There he meets Florence (Greta Gerwig), a much younger personal assistant that he engages with in what can barely be called a relationship.
Greenberg's plot is dolled out slowly, but expertly, over the course of the movie. Hints of Greenberg's past are alluded to at first, but the viewer do not fully understand the emotions driving him until well into the movie. The immediate satisfaction derived from the film is the interactions between characters. Far from what I expected, Greenberg is an extremely easy movie to watch. It is filled with comedy, and cut almost like a Adam McKay film (Anchorman and Talladega Nights), with punchlines ending scenes with a bang and the audience's laughter transitioning Greenberg from one location to the next.
Stiller plays Greenberg fearlessly and unflinchingly; a nearly unlikable protagonist. Stiller's charisma and the brilliant writing allow you to root for a main character who does everything possible to sabotage his relationship with the one woman in his life who is accommodating, sweet, and attracted to him. Gerwig's Florence is also well played, understated and yet still bubbly and likable. Similarly, Noah Baumbach does not draw attention to direction of the movie, allowing the characters to focus the movie behind their personal issues.
If you have the means, see Greenberg. It is terrific.
25/30
I had immense problems formatting this one. If anyone (Adam) cares to go in and put in links and stuff they can, but otherwise I'm leaving this as is for now.
ReplyDeletegreat stuff Ben. Glad to have you back. Can't wait to see Greenberg for myself.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Adam. I have some more stuff in the works, so hopefully I won't disappear again for at least a few more weeks.
ReplyDeleteI never had a chance to see this in the theater, and have wondered if I should rent it. I'll be sure to put it on my list now.
ReplyDeleteTried to rent it last night and discovered CJ doesn't have this film!
ReplyDeleteDon't think it's out yet. It came to the Little Theater bizarrely early. I'm sure CJ will have it when it actually comes out.
ReplyDelete