Review of Everything Must Go (2011) by Ryan S — 05 Jan 2013

Will Ferrell gives a fine, grounded performance as a suburban schlub enduring one empty-cooler bummer of a week. Unexpectedly jobless, wifeless and homeless, Ferrell's off-the-wagon Nick takes to his stuff-laden front yard with a dwindling case of brews and a resolute gallows attitude toward his crap station in life.

"Everything Must Go" could have easily erred by going broadly slapstick or overly sentimental, but writer/director Dan Rush and Ferrell whack a deadpan line drive up the middle.

Ferrell understands the hollowed-out bones of a regular guy drifting through middle-age. He doesn't do much -- nor does he have to -- to convey Nick's surrendered hope or the small graces that start to cut through his groggy haze.

There's no false-note victory at the end of this modest gem, just a fortune cookie note and a twinkle of recognition. Sometimes that's enough.