Review of Greenberg (2010) by Blah B — 25 Sep 2010

Because of films like The Squid and the Whale, I have begun to admire Baumbach, and this film gives me another reason. An oddly sweet love story that doesn't hold back it's fists or spare us from reality.

It's honesty, usually of the brutal kind, is what makes it such a good film and one that is rightfully distanced from the mainstream.I've always liked Stiller, even with his dumb roles. He shows charisma even in trite Night at the Museum-type films, he seems like a cool dude, and when the studios let him, he can churn out some really great, ambitious performances.

This film is one of them. Roger Greenberg is one complex character. The film doesn't make him immediately likable, and even then you aren't supposed to. The audience's job is to go behind his unsavory demeanor and identify with him, someone who is good intentioned but doesn't know how to carry out those intentions, someone who is smart but can't carry a conversation, and someone who yearns for connection in a world where people are tossed out at the tip of a hat.

For his lack of surface level likability, Roger Greenberg is a universal character, but it is the audience's job to figure that out. Really, this is a thinking man's love story. Please note the fantastic love interest that is Greta Gerwig, churning out a very complex performance in what hopefully will be a breakout role, and some good support from Rhys Ifans, a useful counterbalance to the main characters.