Review of Greenberg (2010) by Aren B — 02 Oct 2010

Let me preface by saying that "Greenberg" is very true-to-life. Its characters seem real. Its situations seem real. It makes some perceptive comments about life and human relationships. And yet, it is achingly dull and lacks one sympathetic character.

Roger Greenberg is possibly the biggest asshole in recent years. Greta Gerwigâ??s Florence may be the â??emotional heart of the film,â?? but she lacks charisma and sheâ??s written is such a way as to irritate us rather than make us sympathetic with her.

Baumbach presents these flawed, broken characters in an honest light, but then fails to comment at all upon their flaws. Itâ??s as if he sees nothing wrong with them. Perhaps "Greenberg"â??s biggest flaw is that it focuses on concerns that only affect the idle wealthy, and while whatâ??s portrayed may be true, there are few things that interest me less than the trivial concerns of dull yuppies with no charisma or conscience.