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Great Film overall

Crappy film

Blistering performances.

I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.

After wondering why I had not heard much about this movie - approached it with caution - now I understand why it failed big time. The best way to summarise might be to see it for what it is - Neurotic Minimalism. What might have been a good study of attempting to re-engage with yourself gets totally lost in the movie makers obscene & disconnected self indulgences. This style of pseudo sociology appeals to the in-crowd & those who think of themselves as 'insightful' - while actually being estranged from any worthy reality. Christopher Tookey (Daily Mail) sums it up rather accurately: "This is the kind of low-budget movie that attracts respectful reviews, but tiny audiences. That's because there's virtually no story or character development",etc. Writer Jennifer Jason Leigh and director (co writer) Noah Baumbach both end up tending to glorify grotty people who display no understanding of how to engage in healthy relationships. It's the sort of movie that won't benefit anyone attempting to improve their lives so, maybe best stay away.

'Greenberg' is a Noah Baumbach creation featuring Ben Stiller and Greta Gerwig. Like Baumbach's other films, characters constantly butt heads seemingly out of the blue. Unlike Baumbach's other films, 'Greenberg' features too many parameters needed for any viewer to get full satisfaction. With a 6.1 rating on this site and many people calling it boring and repugnant, it is very easy to see why and how little liked this is. There was a time when I didn't like this either. But there is a good movie buried underneath these depths. I recommend watching this a few times to ingest all that is presented. Whenever I would revisited this, I would always learn something new about Baumbach's choices in filming and characterization. When a movie gets better after each viewing as 'Greenberg' has, the more it becomes apparent just how good it truly is. The first person we meet is Florence Marr, played beautifully at ease by Greta Gerwig. She is the baby-sitter for the wealthy Greenberg family in suburban Los Angeles. Florence is likeable. She has flaws just like anybody else, so nothing to complain about. At first, it seems like Florence will be the protagonist. Within the first few minutes, Florence comes across as a kind and heartfelt person that would make a nice lead. The Greenbergs love her just as the audience is starting to. The Greenbergs will spend six weeks in Vietnam for a business trip, and Mr. Greenberg explains that his brother from New York named Roger will housesit and build a doghouse in their absence.Ben Stiller gave his best performance in his career (until being eclipsed recently by his role in 'Brad's Status') as Roger Greenberg. Now unlike Florence, Roger is not likeable at all. But it is him that's the protagonist. With an unlikeable protagonist, there's no wonder why any movie in a similar situation would attract a large audience. But watching 'Greenberg' we see some sympathetic individual buried in mean exterior. Throughout most of the movie we think to ourselves: "Come on Roger, snap out of it!" Roger is not a character that can be given up on that easily. He had a mental breakdown and recently got released from a mental hospital. As we get to know Roger and the situations surrounding him, his outbursts can be forgiven since he is still having a hard time filtering what's nice and acceptable behaviour.Roger is from L.A. but resides in New York. He was a skilled musician that passed a lucrative record deal that caused his band to split up. Living life as a carpenter in an expensive city with unbearable pressures from the world around him, he just snapped. Returning to L.A., Roger must deal with past demons and face harsh realities in order to move forward in life. He is a fish out of water, and the interactions he has with old friends and acquaintances is all awkward. But the key to Roger's happiness is Florence. Roger is not good with animals (but he does like the dog), so he relies on her for any other the Greenberg's pet dog emergencies. The relationship between them is constantly blossoming and floundering, thanks to Roger's fears of commitment. The relationship between the two is similar to a vintage Woody Allen scenario and nearly as smart. While we get to know both individuals and their chemistry, the more we can somehow relate to their setbacks. The reliability is what makes the characters shine in every Baumbach movie. But Roger is a little different. He is a little to specific for just anybody to get. But if you do, the movie becomes all the more intimate.As a director Noah Baumbach is massively underrated. In terms of general directing, 'Greenberg' is probably his finest. After each watch, his stylistic choices and how they coincide with the characters get extra clear, causing the movie-going experience to illuminate. Not very many directors nail the technological filming/character relationship, but Baumbach is one of the select few. The one bad thing about Noah Baumbach is his endings. He loves open-ended finales in his movies. There is so much awkwardness lingering throughout the movie that can be a bit of a turnoff, but it is not as bad as the ending. It was not a smart move this time around. A movie of this much complexity does not need such a vague ending. If anything, the ending in this is a major drawback and the biggest flaw. 'Greenberg' may appear to be about an immature middle aged man who needs get his head out of his ass, but the core of it is about two people with relatable issues that handle the pressures of life in different ways. Each rich detail will have a profound affect on the viewer. What adult isn't feeling overly-swamped with pressures of nearly everything?

GreenbergWhat's appreciative here is how mildly; the whole episode which is efficient and affluent for the characters, is represented that even though it factors in a lot in its development and gravitas, it still isn't a game changer. The range and connectivity that this genre offers is something that other features will always lack and Noah Baumbach somehow seems to have cracked the enigma and now flaunts it majestically on screen and on paper with Jessica Jason Leigh; this time. Ben Stiller has definitely grown himself into a plausible actor that resonates and connects easily with practicality and is supported thoroughly by brilliant Greta Gerwig who too puts all her chips in. Greenberg has a smart written concept and ideology to work its way through the bigger and better dramatic acts that oozes humanity and demands attention from the audience with the help of stellar performance, gripping screenplay and perfect execution.

Ben Stiller is always a safe bet, and this movie is no exception to that rule, it's just a bit dull, sad, and broken. Filled to the brim with great talent, and written very well, there is just no real moment of victory, just a lot of defeat. I re-watched it today in order to give a fresh review, but now I remember I was not able to finish it last time, it was just that drab, and uninspiring. Really if there is anything to take from this movie, as in life is that you always need a real skill to fall back on like Solomon's violin playing. The sad factor is the point of this movie, I get it, and Ironicly I was actually going through a similar experience when this movie first came out, it is just that Stiller plays it too well I think. Juno Temple as an Australian is kind of silly, but he needed that torture to set him on the right path. You can't say I didn't get the story, it just wasn't something that I Enjoyed watching. I can only recommend the acting, and writing of this film, of course it is filmed quite well, all of the angels are caught, I just can't recommend the actual story. unless you are looking to be brought down, then have at it.