Greenberg (R ) is writer/ director Noah Baumbach's lasted indie drama. Ben Stiller stars as the title character who is just coming off of a mid-life crisis mental breakdown. With a change of scenery in mind, Stiller's Greenberg moves from New York City to LA to house-sit his brother's house and consequently starts to establish a relationship with his brother's personal assistant (Greta Gerwig).
Ryan: With a less than stellar slate of spring films, Greenberg is the diamond in the rough. For those looking for a substantive alternative to most of the mindless films jamming up the local cineplexes, Greenberg is definitely worth checking out. It's a solid movie. With noteworthy performances by the two leads and a relevant screenplay, Greenberg is the type of indie drama that's not only entertaining to watch but that also leaves a lasting impression.
Andy: Most people have not heard of the movie Greenberg, and it is not playing on very many screens, but in many ways it is the ideal spring film. Very soon the studios are going to start rolling out their big-budget shots at the title of summer hit (it starts in April now!), but the springtime is reserved for smaller, usually much lower quality films. Writer / director Noah Baumbach takes all the key elements of indie cinema and reminds us why the formula works, creating a movie that is funny, sad, awkward, and charming all at once.
Ryan: It should be pointed out, as a lot has been made of this fact, that this isn't the typical Ben Stiller part. Make no mistake about it, this is a dramatic role. But contrary to popular thought, Stiller has been effective in some non-comedic roles. From Reality Bits to Zero Effect and Permanent Midnight, Stiller has demonstrated that he can handle more “serious” work. But with all that said, there's no question that Stiller's performance in Greenberg is hands down his best dramatic work (he makes an unlikable character likable) and enhances his repertoire as an actor.
Andy: Stiller is simply outstanding in this film. He takes a character who is defined by his selfishness and inability to think of others and somehow makes him likable enough to support a love story. This is a difficult role to play, and Stiller pulls it off without a single misstep. His characters is only funny when he’s trying not to be, a departure for what most people expect of Stiller, but he shows that he has the chops to pursue serious rolls if he wants them. Of course, he’s unlikely to see a big payday from doing work like this, but it’s still good to know he can do it.
Ryan: Not to be outdone by Stiller's performance is that of Greta Gerwig's. Gerwig is a relative newcomer so I would classify her part as a breakthrough performance. What's remarkable about her performance is how unconventional it is. I don't use that term unconventional to mean quirky and weird. More to the point her performance is unconventional in how good she is in the film. Compared to other standard dramatic leads by more seasoned actresses, Gerwig's performance in the film shows an authenticity that is lacking from standard Hollywood fare produced by her contemporaries. I hope this performance is not forgotten when award season comes around.
Andy: I would agree with that assessment completely. Gerwig never seems like a character in a movie; she seems real. When she makes decisions that make her life more complicated, we feel bad for her because of how valid it is for her character to make those decisions. A performance this accurate and nuanced will surly gain her enough notice that we will see her showing up in more and more films over the next couple of years.
Greenberg is a charming indie drama that works well from start to finish. Final grade: B+.
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