Review of Greenberg (2010) by Mike D — 10 Dec 2011

It's a rare occasion for Ben Stiller to appear in a serious role, and it's painfully obvious that his non-comedic performances are hardly enjoyable. In 'Greenberg', Stiller plays a manic former rock band hopeful turned carpenter named Roger Greenberg who says he's content with doing nothing, but in reality he's trying to discover himself.

Upon returning to LA (where he grew up), Roger tries to rekindle old relationships while developing a new one with his brother's family assistant (played by Greta Gerwig). There are a lot of oddities strewn throughout this film, as Director Noah Baumbach was undoubtedly going for an indie vibe to the extreme, but it comes across as cold and distant.

The general theme of people and their psychological problems is supported by Gerwig's character Florence, is she seems normal on the surface, but she is just as unsure of what she'd like to do with her life as is the obviously flawed Roger.

'Greenberg' is supposed to be awkwardly funny, but it ends up being just plain old awkward.