Review of Greenberg (2010) by Geoffrey T — 11 Apr 2012

Greenberg is a funny character study if there ever was such a thing. It has no tangible or perceivable plot. Nothing really...happens. Things happen in the way that things happen on Seinfeld, but no, there are no big actions.

Essentially, the premise consists of putting this very real(but also very unlikable) character in several average situations, and watching how he reacts. From how he reacts, we are supposed to fill in the blanks of what kind of person he is.

Sometimes it's subtle, sometimes it's not so much. To say that this is a film for people who enjoy the observation of other people would be about right. In fact that may be all it appeals to. A reviewer I read alluded to Baumbach's style as making nature documentaries with people, and I couldn't have said it better.

This director's last film, Margot at the Wedding, had an intelligent, axiomatic craft, but there was nothing really pulling you in. It was obvious that the film was smart, and it was obvious that there was a lot going on underneath the words, but it had no core or ability to make its audience react in any way.

Greenberg has that, and the reactions may be of repugnance, but they are reactions nonetheless. That being said, there are still elements of Baumbach's craft here, but it doesn't overwhelm or pervade everything.

It shows up in certain scenes where the main character will deliberately conceal information or say something factual about himself that directly contradicts a previous statement in the movie or project his flaws onto others or says something that will indirectly get him what he wants instead of being honest and simultaneously vulnerable.

Baumbach obviously knows his psychology. What's fascinating about Greenberg is watching these people interact with themselves and each other. The way they hold their forks or how they react to waiters singing happy birthday or the looks on their faces that convey the truth in a way their words refuse to.