Greenberg (Ben Stiller, Rhys Ifans) : Movie Review
July 13, 2010 by Leon Sjogren
Filed under Movie Reviews, Movies
Roger Greenberg, has just turned 40, he’s just had a mental breakdown and he’s at a point in his life where he wants to do nothing, but this can be an issue when he struggles with the concept of simply ’doing nothing’.
Roger, played fantastically by the rapidly ageing Ben Stiller, is fresh out of hospital after suffering a nervous breakdown. Greenberg travels from New York back to where he grew up in L.A to housesit for his succesful brother, who is on an extended holiday with his family.
Whilst house sitting he falls for his brothers assistant, Florence (Greta Gerwig), tries to reconnect with an old flame Beth (Jennifer Jason Leigh), reforms his friendship with Ivan (Rhys Ifans) who was in a semi succesful band with Greenberg, all whilst dealing with his post breakdown nuisances.
Greenberg: Serious Stiller
Along with looking after the house, Greenberg is left to care for his brothers German Shepard, Mahler, who becames ill leaving Greenberg to step up and take on more responsibilities and find a meaning for his life.
It can be very risky territory for known mainstream comedy actors to take a dip in the indie/drama pool, but it seems that almost every comedian can handle it quite well; Will Ferrell in Stranger Than Fiction, Steve Carell in Dan in Real Life, Robin Williams in Good Will Hunting, Bill Murray in Lost In Translation…. the list goes on.
The good news here is that Stiller actually pulls it off quite well, creating an fantastically awkward character who you really sympathize with as he comes to terms with his life choices.
The supporting cast all do great jobs keeping up with Stiller…all of this plus a great script, fantastic director and a killer soundtrack (by LCD Soundsystem frontman James Murphy) makes for a highly enjoyable and quirky film.
Watch Out For: A fantastic scene where Stiller parties with a group of teenagers, trying to fit in but ultimately making a fool of himself.
WATCH OUT FOR | RATING : 4 / 5
