The good news about this movie is that it is an excellent character study. I can't remember the last time that I saw a character as interesting as Greenberg, and still gives a fantastically nuanced performance. Gerwig does her best Gerwig in that she excels playing the quirky girl-next-door type. That's enough to make the movie watchable.

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A character drama from writer/director Noah Baumbach, Greenberg explores some interesting issues but ultimately falls flat. When Roger Greenberg comes to L.A. to housesit for his brother he ends up getting involved with the housekeeper, but his fears and anxieties begin to cause problems between them. Ben Stiller, Greta Gerwig, Rhys Ifans, and Jennifer Jason Leigh lead the cast and give strong performances; particularly Gerwig, who has a nice charm and a natural comedic sensibility. However, the plot meanders a lot and is full of minutia. And Greenberg is a rather perfunctory character, leaving the audience ambiguous to his plight. Flawed and disjointed, Greenberg is an overly monotonous slice of life film.

>"Hurt people hurt people."

There is something about this movie that irritates me, but at the same time I found myself wanting Ben Stiller to find peace. Also, more movies need Greta Gerwig.

A neurotic, self-obsessed New Yorker (Ben Stiller) goes to house sit for his brother in L.A., and strikes up a relationship with his assistant (Greta Gerwig).

Greenberg leans heavily on its two leads and they are more than up to the task. Stiller has shown he has some acting chops in the past but after Night at the Museum 3 and Little Fockers this is an easily forgotten fact. Here he inhabits a loathsome character yet makes us still root for him. It’s probably nothing new but it’s still a difficult trick to pull off.

Gerwig’s work is just as effective. She seems to breeze through life, care free, yet gives off an undercurrent of sadness. The two sort-of fall for each other despite Greenberg’s best attempts to wreck the relationship.

There are only so many films you can take about narcissistic, well-to-do white people in one sitting, and Greenberg definitely falls into that category. However, it’s also a gently amusing and emotional character study. On a bad day I’d be a lot harsher on it but for whatever reason this one struck a chord with me.

http://benoliver999.com/film/2016/05/08/greenberg/

Simple and honest story about a very troubled 40 year old man, he is stucked in the past, he is a total jerk and still doesn't know what to do with his life. Ben Stiller plays this man and it was great to see a performance so different from all of the usual roles that he use to play, he did a fantastic job. Great Gerwig is always a joy to watch and this is the perfect type of role for her.

Greenberg is a very interesting film with an open ending. You are free to decide whatever you want about the characters life.

I really enjoy a film that delves into the minds of those we find it hard to understand. Stiller performed well and I wanted to continue following his life even after the film ended.