My Movie Review: Greenberg

My Movie Review: Greenberg

4.5/5

Opening Statement: On in awhile we come across a film that is true to itself, an honest character-study. Greenberg is the story of Roger Greenberg (Ben Stiller) a man house sitting for his brother who has recently left a mental hospital and has a series of social disorders as he starts developing a relationship with his brothers associate.

What's Good: Like all Baumbach and Wes Anderson- esque films. This one is a character study, the character we are looking at is Roger Greenberg, played by Ben Stiller in the best performance he has ever done. Greenberg has social problems and does a bad job connecting with others. He returns to his home town to house sit for his brother. While he is there he looks up old friend played by Rhys Ifans and develops a relationship with his brothers associate played by Greta Gerwig. All the acting is at top game, Oscar worthy performances unfortunately this won't get any buzz because it came out so early in the year. There are various elements in this film that seem to have a deeper meaning than you'd think, overall the film is dark with its comedy, and heartfelt with its drama. A great movie in many ways. Also one that keeps you thinking days after the credits roll.

What's Bad: I am a great fan off Wes Anderson and Noah Baumbach films, this one reflect their works incredibly. Much better than Baumbach's The Squid and the Whale. However, it doesn't seem this movie would appeal at all to people who aren't already Baumbach fans. They will see Stiller on the cover and expect quirky slapstick. This is a very deep movie and it worries me that negative reviews will come from people not understanding Baumbach's purpose of this story.

Consensus: I won't suggest this film to everyone, those who appreciate art and independent film will love it along with those who like this kind of movie, Baumbach's dysfunctional style. This is an amazingly deep movie.