Review of Everything Must Go (1996) by Pip D — 19 Feb 2012

As I embark to write my film review on the Will Ferrell starring drama (yes, drama) "Everything Must Go", I am hopeful that you will tolerate it after reading it, and not think that "everything must go". But I do warn you that most everything must show puns for me, so you have been warned. Anyways, "Everything Must Go" is an intended drama with a few comedic moments starring Ferrell as Nick Halsey, an Arizonian alcoholic who lives in front of his lawn with all his personal belongings; due to the fact that his exasperated wife cannot tolerate the Nick no more so she placed all his belongings on the lawn and also changed all the locks to their home. Nick is not too happy upon seeing all his belongings on his lawn, so in his best Clint Eastwood impression with a shotgun, he angrily says "get off my lawn" to his stuff. OK, that didn't happen. And also, back to reality. To add fuel to the fire, Nick also gets the ax in his employment where he served as vice president. He then gets in alcoholic slacker mode and sits in a reclining chair on his lawn making Dennis Hopper's villainous character in "Blue Velvet" proud by having a plethora of Pabst Blue Ribbon beers on a daily basis. Nick's detective friend Frank Garcia informs Nick that he must vacate the lawn premises immediately unless his lawn experience is for the intention of a yard sale. That is when Kenny, an African-American boy, gets in the picture. Nick befriends Kenny and the young boy starts to work for Nick by helping to sell some of Nick's stuff in the yard sale. At first Nick is hesitant that "everything must go" but then⦠well I don't want to give it away because I don't want you to think that I am revealing everything that must go for you to know what happens in the movie. Nick also befriends a pretty female pregnant neighbor called Samantha, that makes a big impact on Nick's life and visa-versa; even though they have an "on and off" friendly relationship. First time Writer-Director Dan Rush was maybe in a bit of a rush to direct the picture by not revealing more information on the characters of the picture. I wanted more on their past (especially Nick) to see what led them to their present situations. And I also felt that there should have been more of an emphasis on Nick's alcoholic rehab process; alcoholics don't instantly get sober from one moment to another. Now I must commend Rush for an authentic screenplay, and I loved the fact that Nick's wife was never seen in the movie. Ferrell was fantastic as Nick; once again proving that he has acting chops in the dramatic landscape as in the comedic one. Like a good neighbor, Rebecca Hall was there with a fine performance as Samantha. And Notorious B.I.G. son's Christopher Jordan Wallace turned out a non-showy but effectively subtle performance as young Kenny. There were a few things of "Everything Must Go" that could have been better and caused a lawn I mean a yawn from time to time; but mostly due to Ferrell's strong work, I say that you should (not must) go see this movie.

*** Average.