Greenberg

In the world of cinema, there are two kinds of movies. Big movies and small movies. The big movies are known for boasting grand special effects and are filled with gratuitous guns, explosions, CGI and heroes shooting a gazillion bullets at badguys while running away from CGI explosions. You know the type, the big-budget summer blockbuster, movies intended purely to entertain the movie-going public in a theatre for a couple hours and to rake in big bucks at the box-office, which most of them undeservedly do.

Greenberg is not one of these movies. It is in the "small movie" category. Despite household name funny-man Ben Stiller starring as the titular character, it is not meant as a cash cow and as expected, it wasn't too commercially succesful at the US box office. Movies like Greenberg will not make much money, and it certainly will not please every movie-goer out there. In fact, when I went to see this, there were just five in the audience, two of which walked out halfway through. Simply put, this movie is not for everyone. But god damn, it's good (in my superior opinion).

Roger Greenberg (Stiller) has recently had a nervous breakdown. After some hospital treatment and a determination to pretty much "do nothing" with his life, the 40 year old New Yorker travels to LA to housesit for his brother, Philip, who has gone on an extended vacation with the family. There, Roger meets his brother's assistant, Florence (Greta Gerwig) with whom he shares a very awkward and stammering romance. They are on-and-off, at points looking like they're not even in a relationship, other points they sort of are, but not. Umm...

He also reconnects with his old bandmate, Ivan (a glorious Rhys Ifans), a rather rugged looking English fellow who's a tad bitter about Roger ruining the band's record deal 15 years ago. Bastard. In another exciting plotline, the family dog has become a mopey bugger and it turns out it's ill. Sad face. :-(

To be fair, looking at the basics of the film, it doesn't seem too strong or heavy plotwise, nor is it intended to be. This is not a plot-driven movie, it is a character study of a man who has just suffered a long period of depression and is looking to do nothing too drastic in his life. Sounds boring, I know, and some will no doubt find it this way, this is not exactly a thrilling movie. It's one for the upper-class, sophisticated film lovers, such as my intellectual self. Ahem.

The main thing that stood out for me about Greenberg is how human the characters are. They are three-dimensional people, not the one note, cardboard cut-out personalities Hollywood is known for vomiting out, but believable human beings who we, the audience, can connect with. They make mistakes, they are flawed individuals, but we can relate to them because of their believability. It's quite refreshing watching a movie with such plausible characters.

Stiller is mesmerising as Roger, a troubled man going through a very tough time in his life. As a main character, he is very interesting, or at least I found him to be. I went from liking him to finding him a bit of a dick, then liking him again. Odd. His sudden, somewhat violent mood swings caused mixed feelings in me about this man who has obviously had his personality broken. He doesn't know how much he has an affect on those around him and he doesn't seem to care. He shouts and rants at Florence about her lifestyle without batting an eyelid. So why should we care about him? Well, Stiller has played him to be likable and we can't help but care about him, despite him being an asswipe throughout. Stiller really is perfect for the role, one which is different from his typically comedic style.

Gerwig is equally as great, playing a vurnerable, slightly off-kilter character who tries to bond with Roger, sometimes succeeding, but mostly failing. As Roger does not drive, he relies on others to take him places, which is Florence most of the time, letting the two get to know each other better and giving her the chance to try and hop on his good foot and do the bad thing.

Also, the two take part in what I can only call a heartbreaking, cringe-worthy sex scene (or attempted sex) which is so awkward and uncomfortable to watch, you can't help but chuckle. "Can you hear a train?" she says as Stiller looks up from between her bare legs.

However, it is Ifans who I give the award of best performance to, as he is the only character in the whole film who is purely likable and seems to be the lone person who is good and kind throughout. As Roger's best friend, he is the moral of the two, trying to get his life back on track as well as Roger's. I've always been a fan of Ifans, he knows how to make a character memorable as well as unique, and he succeeds admirably here. He's awesome.

Noah Baumbach's writing is nothing short of spectacular, with the dialogue flowing marvelously, filled with wit and not coming across as stilted at any point in the film. When the characters talk, they are having a genuine conversation which aids in the realism the film has wrapped itself in. His direction is also impressive, creating striking images and symbology without being too self-indulgent. He has made this movie a downbeat one, but not with too many depressing moments (although be warned, it's not short of them), with some humorous points juxtaposed perfectly.

I can see why some viewers would find it a bit dull. As I've already said, it's not for everyone, there is a specific audience for films like this and they should know who they are. This is not a mainstream, audience-pleasing film, it's a low budget dramedy that some will like and some won't. Those who won't can just stick to Transformers.

9/10