Review: Comedian Stiller takes welcome dramatic turn as 'Greenberg'

“Greenberg”
Directed by: Noah Baumbach
Starring: Ben Stiller, Greta Gerwig, Rhys Ifans, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Brie Larson, Juno Temple
Rated: R

Everyone knows someone like Roger Greenberg, the title character - played perfectly by Ben Stiller - in Noah Baumbach's new film.

It may be a brother-in-law or cousin. It may be a friend, or more likely a former friend. And it some cases it may be oneself.

Greenberg is an amalgam of the classic Woody Allen character, Larry David's persona on “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and Mr. Fredricksen, the old man in the wonderfully touching animated feature, “Up!”

In real life you'd probably tire of Roger Greenberg in short order. But, like just about every character on “Seinfeld,” on-screen and in his own milieu, he's compelling and sympathetic.

Viewers can thank Stiller and director Baumbach for that.

Actress Jennifer Jason Leigh, who plays a small but important role in the film, wrote the story that Baumbach turned into the screenplay. She's also an executive producer of the project. She's a much underused actress and the involvement she has in “Greenberg” shows that she's both multi-talented and is serious about the art of film.

Stiller - best known for his myriad enjoyably goofy comedies and the “Night at the Museum” franchise - is in his most serious role here and rises to the occasion.

Seeing the previews for the film, I got the impression it was going to be an all-out comedy, and while there are a lot of funny moments, Baumbach infuses it with many complicated human interactions. It's territory he's explored in his previous films, “The Squid and the Whale” and “Margot at the Wedding.”

After 15 years in New York, Roger Greenberg finds himself back in Los Angeles, housesitting for his wealthy, successful brother who is on an extended family vacation.

We find, slowly but surely, that Greenberg had relocated to New York City after walking away from a recording contract that his band was offered. He gave up music, became a carpenter and did a brief stint in a mental hospital after a breakdown.

His main hobby is writing very eloquently indignant complaint letters to companies like Starbucks, going into minutiae about all things that annoy him about their actions.
He has no visible means of support and tells people, “I'm trying to do nothing right now.”

Once back in L.A., he reunites with a former bandmate, Ivan (Rhys Ifans). They try to hash out what went wrong, and why, when they seemed on the verge of success 15 years before. He also contacts his former lover, Beth (Leigh), who has been married and divorced and seems to have an untold story of her own. It's obvious she loves Greenberg but just as obvious that she is not interested in rekindling their former relationship. Leigh is astonishing in the role.

Greenberg's closest relationship turns out to be with his brother's personal assistant, the much younger Florence (Greta Gerwig). Florence knows the house (and the big dog) better than Roger does and he calls her ostensibly for her professional obligations to his brother, her employer. But other things develop.

I was not familiar with Gerwig until “Greenberg.” She's not drop-dead gorgeous in the stereotypical Hollywood sense but is disarmingly appealing and obviously a very talented actress. She's also a writer, director and producer - not bad for a 27-year-old.

The chemistry between Stiller and Gerwig is electric. Florence is one of the few people who can put up with Greenberg without getting overly annoyed. She's no doormat and not the run-of-the-mill, good-natured airhead seen in films so often. She's a great, well-developed character. Florence is every bit as important to the story as Greenberg himself.

By the time the third act comes along, there are scenes that make one forget that “Greenberg” has been marketed as a Ben Stiller comedy. It gets very emotional, to the point of bringing a tear to the eye of any sensitive viewer.

“Greenberg” is not a blockbuster, but it has already gotten much well-deserved critical acclaim. When Oscar time comes around I'll be disappointed if it doesn't get nominations in the screenplay, best actor and best supporting actor categories.[[In-content Ad]]