X
- 2010
- R
- Focus Features
- 1 h 47 m
- 2010
- R
- Focus Features
- 1 h 47 m
Summary Roger Greenberg, single, fortyish and at a crossroads in his life, finds himself in Los Angeles, house-sitting for six weeks for his more successful/married-with-children brother. In search of a place to restart his life, Greenberg tries to reconnect with old friends including his former bandmate Ivan. But old friends aren't necessarily ...
Written By: Noah Baumbach
- 2010
- R
- Focus Features
- 1 h 47 m
- 2010
- R
- Focus Features
- 1 h 47 m
Greenberg
76
6.0
Where to Watch
Summary Roger Greenberg, single, fortyish and at a crossroads in his life, finds himself in Los Angeles, house-sitting for six weeks for his more successful/married-with-children brother. In search of a place to restart his life, Greenberg tries to reconnect with old friends including his former bandmate Ivan. But old friends aren't necessarily ...
Written By: Noah Baumbach
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 39 Critic Reviews
76
90% Positive
35 Reviews
35 Reviews
10% Mixed
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 39 Critic Reviews
76
90% Positive
35 Reviews
35 Reviews
10% Mixed
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Extraordinary.
I have a weakness for actresses like Greta Gerwig. She looks reasonable and approachable.
User Score
Mixed or Average
Based on 96 User Ratings
6.0
49% Positive
47 Ratings
47 Ratings
34% Mixed
33 Ratings
33 Ratings
17% Negative
16 Ratings
16 Ratings
User Score
Mixed or Average
Based on 96 User Ratings
6.0
49% Positive
47 Ratings
47 Ratings
34% Mixed
33 Ratings
33 Ratings
17% Negative
16 Ratings
16 Ratings
Greenberg is a brutally honest and raw look at what is is like to wake up and be 40 and realize your life is not what you expected and you aren't who you thought you would be. Ben Stiller is excellent and shows he can be more than a one trick pony. This is first time I have actually forgotten Ben was Ben in a role. He is troubled frustrated, arrogant and abrasive, acting out and inappropriate. You have to wonder why Florence would find him attractive and keep coming back for more. Brilliantly written and shot, it showcases life in LA as only one who actually lives here knows it. Jennifer Jason Leigh produced the film and as in past collaborations with Noah Baumbach show they are auteurs of creating emotional train wrecks that make us uncomfortable but can't stop watching
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Ben Stiller really proves to be a great actor. He makes you love and hate Greenberg at the same time. He has a very awkward personality, but in the other way you sympathise with him. The film's dark humor is very well thought of. Great script. I had a few laughs. If you like black comedies, this is a film you have to see. 2.0
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Going dramatic, Stiller commits to the role completely; there's something rather admirable in his refusal to pander or soft-pedal the self-serious, frankly unlikable Greenberg.
Noah Baumbach makes nature documentaries disguised as indie comedy-dramas.
There's no hard-and-fast rule that says you have to like the main character in a movie. It's more a custom, really - a custom that Ben Stiller stretches nearly to the breaking point in Greenberg.
Nothing much happens in Greenberg, yet Stiller and co-star Greta Gerwig make inconsequence tolerable with solid performances.
Any comic relief it affords comes with such an undertow of repressed emotions and displaced anger that it all starts to feel more depressing than dramatic.
I loved this film but I agree with many of these reviews which criticize the casting of Affleck. Baumbach is famous for his unlikable characters, but Stiller's performance is so distracting and forced that he nearly ruins this film. An excellent script and breathtaking performances by Greta Gerwig and Rhys Ivans saved the film for me.
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Even if Ben Stiller is a good comedy actor and Baumbach is a skilled director this comedy lacks the brilliance that you notice in "while we're young" and never takes you from the bottom of your heart, probabily resulting too cerebral to make you laugh.
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Wow! I was really expecting to like this movie and it was just ridiculous. This film tries way to hard. There are periods of slight entertainment and good humor, but holistically this movie doesn't even warrant the time if its watched free of cost. Da, that was stupid movie.
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This was a potentially good movie ruined by the classic combination of a Big Star wanting to be in a small indie film. It. Having to watch Ben Stiller in every scene was so painful, especially when Greta Gerwig and Rhys Ivans were so good. There was no nuance or depth or humanity to his character. It reminded me of Punch Drunk Love, in which Adam Sandler just looks stone faced the whole movie, which seemed to be his way of 'Acting'. A similar self-involved character, the dad in Squid and the Whale was so much better with Jeff Daniels, a much much better actor.
I am sure that this is why Alexander Payne retains control over casting. Imagine a good script, good director, and a Big Star know for a specific type of comedy is forced on you. It ruins the movie.
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Production Company
Scott Rudin Productions,
Twins Financing
Release Date Mar 19, 2010
Duration 1 h 47 m
Rating R
Tagline He's got a lot on his mind.
Website
http://facebook.com/Greenberg
Awards
Film Independent Spirit Awards
• 4 Nominations
Central Ohio Film Critics Association
• 2 Nominations
Village Voice Film Poll
• 2 Nominations