GREENBERG (2010)
written and directed by Noah Baumbach
[has written and directed: Margot At the Wedding (2007), The Squid and the Whale (2005), Kicking and Screaming (1995)]
[helped write: Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009), and The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004)]
starring Ben Stiller, Greta Gerwig [pretty much unheard of], Rhys Ifans [The Lizard in the new Spider-Man movie], and Jennifer Jason Leigh [who supposedly helped come up with the story]
ENJOYMENT: ***1/2 (out of 5)
"More than just liked it but..."
I really enjoy Noah Baumbach films, but for some reason they never stick in my mind as being really important. I understand he draws a lot of his material from personal experiences, and tries to capture the mundanity and confusion of life, but this sometimes translates to "mundane and confused" movie for me, as a viewer. In Greenberg, Baumbach, with his soon to be ex-wife Jennifer Jason Leigh, created two characters that you may or may not want to know in real life. In fact, Ben Stiller's character, Greenberg, may actually be someone you would want to run away from. Greenberg would definitely serve as a novelty at a party for a minute, at least for those more cynically inclined, as he's filled with pessimistic jokes that could serve as entertainment; however, Baumbach focused an entire movie around him--that guy you would want to run away from. Despite this, the film sets itself up for a possible interesting story, as Greenberg does serve as a sort of commentary for real life, which everyone may or may not relate with. He's in his forties, unsuccessful, without any direction or many really friends, and goes to L.A. after being released from a mental hospital to house sit for his wealthy brother and just "take it easy for awhile."
At many points in the film, Greenberg is contrasted with his peers who aren't so devastated by life, showing how some people don't complicate the simple things more than they need to. On the other hand, Greenberg, along with the equally confused Florence (played by Greta Gerwig), stumble their ways through the film as two dubious characters who eventually fall hard for each other. Greenberg's only friend, Ivan (played by Rhys Ifans), tags along in a crucial supporting role, adding an element to this film that is very pertinent: what is a quality friend. Greenberg (the movie) explores many other ideas that hit me hard, showing that life direction isn't so obvious, and there are gradients of success and purposeful living--not everyone wants to be rich and famous. The philosophy in this film is extremely implicit, however, and relies on the patience of its audience to stew over its subtle ideologies. Nonetheless, Greenberg (the movie) is very good, funny as hell at some points, and would be enjoyed by anyone who has ever felt lost in their journeys through life.
At many points in the film, Greenberg is contrasted with his peers who aren't so devastated by life, showing how some people don't complicate the simple things more than they need to. On the other hand, Greenberg, along with the equally confused Florence (played by Greta Gerwig), stumble their ways through the film as two dubious characters who eventually fall hard for each other. Greenberg's only friend, Ivan (played by Rhys Ifans), tags along in a crucial supporting role, adding an element to this film that is very pertinent: what is a quality friend. Greenberg (the movie) explores many other ideas that hit me hard, showing that life direction isn't so obvious, and there are gradients of success and purposeful living--not everyone wants to be rich and famous. The philosophy in this film is extremely implicit, however, and relies on the patience of its audience to stew over its subtle ideologies. Nonetheless, Greenberg (the movie) is very good, funny as hell at some points, and would be enjoyed by anyone who has ever felt lost in their journeys through life.
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