Greenberg
Directed by: Noah Baumbach
Starring: Ben Stiller, Greta Gerwig, Rhys Ifans, Jennifer Jason Leigh
Rated:R for some strong sexuality, drug use, and language
Most indie films are unknown because their style, stars, content, story, and themes are not ones that broad audiences find entertaining. A shame, especially when considering Noah Baumbach's new film Greenberg, which follows deadbeat forty-something Roger Greenberg (a brilliant Ben Stiller) who is house sitting for his brother while "trying to do nothing" with his life. Some will write this movie off because of Stiller's past films, the movie's dry humor, it's the lack of emotions it conjures up, or even it's harsh content (which includes every form of rated R content under the sun - it's mature stuff, here.) However, Greenberg is a film that speaks on themes that many are wrestling with. The main characters, specifically Greenberg, are floating through life, lost by their past failures, high social expectations, the perceptions of others, and misguided by their own broken dreams. Most won't catch why Greenberg stares at the giant inflatable air dancer in the parking lot at the end, missing that, like the dancer (as well as many today), Greenberg is blowing every direction the wind takes him. The question he, as well as Florence (a wonderful Greta Gerwig) and Ivan (Rhys Ifans) must answer is, even when life is difficult, is adulthood just understanding life, or is it taking responsibility for it? A wise distinction that a broad spectrum of people should take to heart.
Starring: Ben Stiller, Greta Gerwig, Rhys Ifans, Jennifer Jason Leigh
Rated:R for some strong sexuality, drug use, and language
Most indie films are unknown because their style, stars, content, story, and themes are not ones that broad audiences find entertaining. A shame, especially when considering Noah Baumbach's new film Greenberg, which follows deadbeat forty-something Roger Greenberg (a brilliant Ben Stiller) who is house sitting for his brother while "trying to do nothing" with his life. Some will write this movie off because of Stiller's past films, the movie's dry humor, it's the lack of emotions it conjures up, or even it's harsh content (which includes every form of rated R content under the sun - it's mature stuff, here.) However, Greenberg is a film that speaks on themes that many are wrestling with. The main characters, specifically Greenberg, are floating through life, lost by their past failures, high social expectations, the perceptions of others, and misguided by their own broken dreams. Most won't catch why Greenberg stares at the giant inflatable air dancer in the parking lot at the end, missing that, like the dancer (as well as many today), Greenberg is blowing every direction the wind takes him. The question he, as well as Florence (a wonderful Greta Gerwig) and Ivan (Rhys Ifans) must answer is, even when life is difficult, is adulthood just understanding life, or is it taking responsibility for it? A wise distinction that a broad spectrum of people should take to heart.
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