Greenberg

Release Date: March 26th, 2010

Genre: Comedy / Drama

Stars: Ben Stiller, Greta Gerwig, Rhys Ifans

Synopsis: A quirky middle aged man, recently discharged from a mental hospital, returns home to Los Angeles from New York to house sit for his brother's family where he comes into contact with his brother's young female assistant.

AltAss Ratings (On a scale of 1 to 5 asses)

Plot:                              

An intriguing premise for a character study that would have been even more effective if the character had more to do.

Writing:                      

The effort was very inconsistent.  Sometimes brilliant, sometimes boring, with poor fluidity.

Acting:                             

Stiller takes on a very different role than we are used to seeing him play and sticks it beautifully.  Greta Gerwig was unfamiliar to me but proved to be a refreshing talent.  Rhys Ifans is usually hillarious but plays a more morose character unspectacularly but not heinously.

Originality:                    

Certainly an unconventional character study of an unconventional character.

Overall:                         

Just because you make a film that is deep and artsy doesn't mean it shouldn't have a determined pace and rhythym.  It also shouldn't end whenever you run out of film, the audience just spent a lot of time immersed in the complexities of Greenberg's character and they deserve at least a hint at what might happen to him.  This effort's flashes of brilliance make it worth a look if you typically enjoy this type of film but if you just want to laugh, steer clear.

The Laugh Factor

Belly Laughs: 1

Chuckles: 2-4