merelyaninnuendo GreenbergWhat's appreciative here is how mildly; the whole episode which is efficient and affluent for the characters, is represented that even though it factors in a lot in its development and gravitas, it still isn't a game changer. The range and connectivity that this genre offers is something that other features will always lack and Noah Baumbach somehow seems to have cracked the enigma and now flaunts it majestically on screen and on paper with Jessica Jason Leigh; this time. Ben Stiller has definitely grown himself into a plausible actor that resonates and connects easily with practicality and is supported thoroughly by brilliant Greta Gerwig who too puts all her chips in. Greenberg has a smart written concept and ideology to work its way through the bigger and better dramatic acts that oozes humanity and demands attention from the audience with the help of stellar performance, gripping screenplay and perfect execution.

SnoopyStyle Florence Marr (Greta Gerwig) is the Greenberg family nanny in L.A. The family goes on a trip while the brother Roger Greenberg (Ben Stiller) drops by to housesit. She's young trying to find her way. He's a New Yorker misanthrope just out of an insane asylum. He doesn't drive and writes complaint letters. His friend Ivan Schrank (Rhys Ifans) pushes him to go to Eric Beller (Mark Duplass)'s barbecue where he runs into ex-girlfriend Beth (Jennifer Jason Leigh) with her kids. Roger, Eric and Ivan were once in a band but Roger refused to sign a recording deal. Florence and Roger have an on-and-off relationship.Ben Stiller is going too dark. It's a matter of slight miscalibration. This could be a great indie rom-com but I can't find any likability to Roger. His dialog could have some sharp sarcastic jokes to take off the edge. I need to laugh with him but his dark depressed nature keeps getting into the way. Getting angry over his birthday is probably the only laughable moment although saying Florence's emotional story is pointless gets a small chuckle. His anger needs to have more comedy as an outlet and to balance his dark side. It has some good moments but it could have been better.

secondtake Greenberg (2010)I've come to like Ben Stiller a lot, but here the movie just struggles and falls very flat. That's the long and short of it.Except that is for Greta Gerwig. I've also come to really like her, and she makes the movie. She lifts it out of some kind of needlessness—the plot fizzles, Stiller plays out his contrived role without much conviction, but Gerwig make subtle and warm and interesting every scene she's in.So, along those lines, I highly highly recommend "Frances Ha," which makes the most of Gerwig (and which is a good, offbeat, indie film in every way). Here, in a Hollywood mainstream effort, there seems to be a formula comedy that just went wrong on page three. These kinds of films depend on a conflict of two main characters who, of course, should really be in love, based on the screwball formula of the 1930s. That takes a lot of fierce energy and a terrific script. We get neither here. As they tone things down to be somewhat believable (and even serious underneath) they lose the humor. And the plot, and dialog, don't hold up on their own.Sad. I feel bad for Gerwig most of all…a breakthrough moment that just ended up breaking. Oddly, the writing is partly by Jennifer Jason Leigh, and I wonder if this was a script that made it to the screen based on her name. Sounded good as a pitch, no doubt, but then? Don't do it.

darraghmurphy777 I am certainly what you would call an amateur movie lover, I never studied film so there are certainly several finer points of good film making that go over my head. I can however appreciate a wide variety of movies for many reasons such as good, likable characters, clever/witty writing and dialog, cinematography etc. Sadly, this film possessed none of these qualities.In a nut shell, it's listed and sold as a comedy yet I didn't so much as grin throughout. I quite dislike every character in it, especially that of Ben Stiller. If I actually knew any of these people I would quickly distance myself from them. Finally it has no redeeming features such as striking/beautiful imagery or an interesting story where things actually happen.Judging by other reviews this seems to be a movie one has to "get" in order to enjoy. I can accept that up to a certain extent but if that's the case at least try include a few things for those poor souls fooled into thinking it was a comedy. This is the only film that I have ever seen where I am literally left with nothing good to say about it.