Greenberg

Last week I went and saw Greenberg. Noah Baumbach wrote and directed the film starring Ben Stiller and Greta Gerwig. The only other Baumbach film that I have seen is The Squid and the Whale (which thrived on its honest writing). Once again, Baumbach focuses much of his attention on the characters themselves. There's not much action, but that's okay because the movie isn't about what happens to the characters, but what happens between the characters. I am not the biggest fan of Stiller's acting (besides his small role in Reality Bites). However, Stiller as Greenberg does a good job of allowing us to feel both hate and pity towards him. He's not very nice- he's a narcissist who treats people terribly, but he's the most cruel when he uses his words like knives. No one experiences a deeper cut then Greta Gerwig as Florence. Florence is the personal assistant to Greenberg's brother. In my opinion, Gerwig was perfectly cast as the soft spoken and naive love interest for Greenberg. From the first few moments of the film, you know exactly what kind of girl Florence is (there's a great scene in the first few minutes when she's quietly begging for a car to let her in). Moreover, Gerwig's appearance makes her both approachable and beautiful, just the kind of girl that we root for in movies.

Greenberg's bluntness and Florence's easy going nature speeds up their new relationship. Soon they find themselves somewhere between a relationship and not. Their relationship reflects Greenberg's moods. When he's okay, it's okay. However, when he begins to feel smothered he becomes cruel. Even though he's 'seeing' Florence, he asks his newly divorced ex-girlfriend out on a date. In his mind, he can do better than Florence. However, we're reminded throughout the movie that Florence is the one that could do much better.

Similar to The Squid and The Whale, Baumbach touches on the real life complexities of human nature. None of the characters or their relationships with one another are simple. You have Greenberg and Florence, who if they knew better, wouldn't waste their time with the other. However, for some unexplainable reason, they like each other. Similar to Greenberg and Florence's relationship, Greenberg experiences similar problems with his best friend, Ivan (Rhys Ifans). Just when their band was about to sign a record label, Greenberg unexpectedly bails and moves to New York to become a carpenter. When Greenberg, now 40, returns to Los Angeles, he is forced to face the damages his decision had on others, more specifically, Ivan.

Greenberg reconnects with a broken Ivan, who has recently separated from his wife, who he met in rehab and credits his recovery to her (throughout the film Greenberg is vocal about his dislike for her). Although Ivan does not blame Greenberg for his problems, his resentment is subtly made evident. One thinks that they're only friends now because they once were best friends. They are more friends of obligation then true friends. Slowly, Ivan realizes this fact and their final confrontation leaves their relationship unsettled.

Similar to relationships in real life, Baumbach leaves all the relationships unresolved and we are left uncertain as to what will happen in the future.