Review: Greenberg

Went to The Little Theater and watched the new film by Noah Baumbach the director of the under-seen great film "The Squid and the Whale". His new film stars Ben Stiller as the titular character Roger Greenberg. Recently out of a mental health hospital for unknown reasons, the 41 year old New Yorker goes to Los Angeles to house and dog sit for his Brother while he is away in Vietnam. In LA he reconnects with his old best friend from college Ivan played by Rhys Ifans and goes into a classic modern romance with his brothers nanny Florence played by Greta Gerwig.




The film has really good performances across the board. The one that stands out the most is Greta Gerwig. She is completely convincing in her performance and does a really nice job with Ben. As for Ben Stiller he does a really good job playing the anxiety ridden man who wants to do nothing. A lot of critics have said that this is Stiller's best performance to date. This bugs me. The thing that bugs me is that many times when a comedic actor does a serious role, critics and other people proclaim that serious role as their best performance. Totally undermining all past comedic performances in favor and in exaltation in that a dramatic role is better. FUCK THAT SHIT! Seriously? That pisses me off. Doing an effective and engaging comedic performance can be equally if not more difficult in pulling off and performing than a "dramatic" performance. Look it up in the dictionary, it's true.

The film also really captures and portrays awkward social interactions incredibly well. One scene in particular is when Greenberg goes to a party and is just talking to a bunch of people about what they and he's been up to for the past 15 years. It's a situation we've all been through, going back home and talking to a bunch of old acquaintances who act like they are really interested in what you are saying and you end up saying the same half assed thing to all of them. How this scene is edited and acted is really well done.

The modern romance between Greenberg and Florence is also played out in a refreshing and realistic manner. The whole are we dating, are we not dating, are there feelings, what's going on thing is going down in full force. It all culminates in an ending that is fulfilling and sweet (in the romantic sense).

If you like Noah Baumbach's other films, you should def check this out. Ben Stiller fans should also check this out to see another side of the actor. And check it out if you're just interested in seeing a good modern character piece.