Review of Greenberg (2010) by Page L — 18 Dec 2010

In 2010, Ben Stiller will have given us Little Fockers, Megamind, and Greenberg. Which of these films is not like the others (animation aside)? A refreshing return to the mature, intelligent Stiller we know exists but who so rarely comes out to play, Greenberg features one of his most comprehensive, consistent performances. Of course it went completely unnoticed because, in typical Baumbach style, he portrays a huge asshole in a sea of slightly more covert assholes, and no one wants to see that from him. It's unfortunate that people have so much trouble distancing an unlikable character from their own feelings about the movie - and don't get me wrong, Roger Greenberg is a thorough creep - because this is an acutely shot, wonderfully composed story about resolution and confidence. Though the obvious adherence to the Baumbach formula is a bit of a bummer (come on, dude, stretch your range just a little), I think this is his most sharply-observed work yet. Stiller aside, Baumbach gets some of the best performances of his oeuvre from his cast. Greta Gerwig is an excellent foil to his unapproachable, immature behavior; it's great that she's come so far from her mumblecore/House of the Devil days. I feel obligated to root for her because she's a Sacramentan, so forgive my bias, but her performance here is extremely strong. Her Florence is aimless, but resolute, and she knows how she wants to be treated and how to maneuver her way through the situation she finds herself in. The conflict of the story is whether or not she really wants to, though.

And on that note, how depressing is that ending? Posited as happy, I felt it left nothing but melancholy for us to dwell on. There's no way this implied future can be anything but miserable. Sad, sad stuff.