Review of The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected) (2017) by Mcgillotine — 13 Oct 2017

It's not particularly special, nor heartwarming, however Noah Baumbach creates a competent narrative dealing with the complexities of dysfunctional familial relations. Shot in a way that replicates indie film-making, yet certainly not lacking the budget with actors such as Dustin Hoffman, Ben Stiller, Adam Sandler and Emma Thompson leading the show, audiences will not find much difficultly watching films 112 minutes within one sitting. The film opens with Adam Sandler's Danny driving though the crowded streets of Brooklyn, tailgated and furious over the recent separation with his wife, Danny, screams insults to tailgating motorists who interrupt his ability to park his car. All the while Danny's daughter, Eliza suggests that her father instead favor the expensive yet secure garage parking. Within the films first 5 minutes Baumbach has already defined the element of familial dysfunction in this film, which grows increasing more complex as characters such as the prideful Harold Meyerowitz (played by Dustin Hoffman), a fourth time married, undiscovered sculptor and father of Danny, Matthew and Jean enters the scene bringing dysfunction to the next level.

Performances in the film are fine with standouts notably being Sandler, Hoffman, and Stiller the later of whom pulling a surprising performance in the standout moment of the film. Odd yet otherwise interesting prefromances from Elizabeth Marvel, Emma Thompson and a cameo from Adam Diver are also enjoyable to watch onscreen. I was conflicted however on the performance of Grace Van Patten who plays Eliza, Danny's daughter, who plays an amateur self-starring, arthouse porn director which is quite jarring considering that her family is her primary audience.

To quickly critique the other aspects of the film I will now otherwise sum up the rest of my thoughts for this film. The shots in this film are so-so and are otherwise forgettable. Tunes created by Sandler's character have a show tune quality and complimented the soundtrack and dysfunction perfectly. The films unusual choice of sequencing was strange, almost like chapters in a book which can be expected considering the films title, personally I found this didn't feel necessary. Parts of the film feel as though they are missing with distance between 'chapters' leaving audiences to constantly fill in the blanks. Eliza's arc I didn't quite get, felt half-baked and found the film couldn't done without.

Overall The Meyerowitz stories (new and selected) is a good film to pass the time but I take with a grain of salt in critics determining the film an artistic masterpiece.