Review of Greenberg (2010) by Benjamin F — 04 Sep 2010

A couple of years after Margot at the Wedding, Noah Baumbach returns with a new dramedy with an often unlikable, ugly main character at its core, echoing his previous films' lack of directed plot. And once again, he's delivered another excellent character study with a fantastic ensemble cast.

Let's start with the cast. This is easily one of Ben Stiller's best roles and performances in years, showing again that he's capable of displaying much more range and depth than the endless parade of mediocre mainstream comedies he's been stuck in these days. Greta Gerwig transcends her "Mumblecore" (See: Terrible, ultra-pretentious Gen Y wannabe-film-movement) roots and turns a charming, deeply sympathetic turn as Stiller's co-star here. I'm looking forward to seeing further forays from her into the art house world - the more she distances herself from the unbearably masturbatory Mumblecore scene, the better. Rhys Ifans gets to use his native accent (Unlike in the also great Pirate Radio, as I recall) playing Stiller's best friend following a major falling out in their old band that Greenberg had caused. Jennifer Jason Leigh makes a requisite appearance and doesn't get a ton of screen time despite her billing - she and Baumbach ARE married, after all - but she plays the character of Beth perfectly, as little development as she gets beyond being both a source of hope and disappointment for Greenberg. Brie Larson and Juno Temple don't get to do much beyond being typical college kids, but they're fine in those performances.

The script itself is pure character study. As usual, Baumbach isn't afraid to make his characters get very ugly to one another, and to bring out the darker and less sympathetic sides of these three-dimensional human beings. Something many filmmakers struggle to do, or simply don't attempt, in succumbing to the temptation to paint things in black and white strokes, making our heroes too lovable and our villains too dastardly to be real. Greenberg is all about people - hurt people. Who also hurt people. As is succinctly put as such by Greta Gerwig's character a ways in. That's pretty much the film's thesis, and Greenberg is a beautiful exploration of just that, while still giving us reason to love these characters in their honest humanity.

The soundtrack is full of indie and older rock, which suits the film quite well in its use - particularly in highlighting the generational gap between the two leads in their clumsy, but natural coupling. The cinematography is strong throughout, as you'd expect of a Baumbach movie.

Once again, Noah Baumbach has pulled off something most filmgoers will find cringeworthy in how unglamorous and honest it is in its writing and the portrayal of its characters, but it's in just this that Greenberg finds its beauty and brilliance. If you like good character writing, and you enjoyed The Squid and the Whale and Margot at the Wedding, you'll find much to love in Greenberg. Highly recommended.