I would like to advocate on behalf on this overlooked gem that was released on home video earlier this month. I saw trailers for Greenberg during some of the winter movies I saw, but it wasn’t released at the Malco Grandview, or any of the other area Jackson theatres, much to my disappointment.
But, although I was encouraged by the trailer, I should point out that I had mixed expectations for this movie. And those mixed feelings were a direct result of director Noah Baumbach. Besides being the new variable in the writing team for my least favorite Wes Anderson film The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004), he also directed The Squid and the Whale (2005). The only thing I really remember about the film, besides the final image based on the titular metaphor, was the scene where a kid pulls a hand out of his pants in the middle of the library and wipes his sperm on a library book. Why would I even mention that sideshow of horror? Because that’s almost all of what I remember about the film. That’s not good filmmaking.
However, Baumbach also served as co-writer of the screenplay for Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009), which was enough for me to forgive me to try this film. And I’m glad I did.
Greenberg tells a story about Roger Greenberg (Ben Stiller), a carpenter recently discharged from a mental hospital for an undisclosed condition, who spends a few weeks in Los Angeles house- and dog-sitting for his brother’s family while they vacation. The film follows his fitful romance with his brother’s household assistant Florence (Greta Gerwig) and his attempt to rekindle a friendship a former friend and band mate Ivan (Rhys Ifans).
Typical of Baumbach’s work, and Anderson’s for that matter, plot is determined by the characters. As powerless and uncertain as they (especially Greenberg) may feel, fate rarely enters in to throw our protagonist in an extraordinary situation. Because they are not extraordinary people, such a situation does not ensue.
For instance, Greenberg is confronted by Ivan (and others) about how he put the kibosh on a record deal in their younger days that could have changed their lives. Greenberg justifies his decision by railing against record executives earlier in the movie. Yet he finally comes clean, explaining how he thought his thoughts were a personal opinion—as opposed to a decision for the group; and furthermore, he would have changed his mind if knew how it would play out. In many ways, Greenberg is the story of a man belatedly learning to take responsibility for his own life.
I would classify this as comedy, because the story arc moves broadly from disorder to order. It also does have some genuinely funny bits magnified by their context. However, most of the “jokes” and one-liners are already shown in the trailers. If you need your funny bone not just tickled but ravished, perhaps you should save Greenberg for another night.
Ben Stiller really doesn’t have much to prove anymore as actor, and he does a fine job. Although there are a few scenes of unnecessary rage that don’t seem to fit the character well, it seems more like a problem with the writing than the acting.
Greta Gerwig rises to meet Stiller’s performance as a fellow lost soul. Whereas Ifans is hamstrung by Ivan’s natural hangdog demeanor, Gerwig is allowed to put on a full range of emotion even as her character Florence bends over backward for almost everybody else, especially Greenberg. Baumbach has a couple of really affecting shots of Gerwig’s face as she rides in her car from place to place, including one that opens the movie.
My favorite scene, I must admit, is when Greenberg drunk dials Florence and admits not only his “like,” but also laments the difficulty of his new discovery, about taking responsibility for his own life. “It’s all so embarrassing,” Greenberg despairs. I know as a semi-employed recent college graduate that I can certainly relate to the sentiment. If you think you can too, then you will probably like Greenberg, and embrace him. After all, the one thing the poor putz needs most is a hug.
Greenberg is rated R for some strong sexuality, drug use, and language.
