Movie Buff: "Greenberg"

Writer and director Noah Baumbach is no stranger to developing complex, troubled characters, as seen in his critically acclaimed film, “The Squid and the Whale,” and in his most recent movie, “Greenberg,” which delves into the mental and emotional instability of Roger Greenberg (played by Ben Stiller) as he desperately searches to find meaning in his otherwise drab life.

After traveling from New York to L.A. to look after his brother’s house, Roger meets Florence Marr (Greta Gerwig) the family’s personal assistant by day, and a struggling musician by night. Roger, who has just a few friends — a brother in constant criticism of him, and an ex-girlfriend who can barely remember that the two once dated — has little going for him, relying on the doghouse he builds and the rambling, cynical conversations with his best friend and former band-mate, Ivan (Rhys Ifans), to keep his sanity in check.

It is not until 25-year-old Florence interrupts Roger’s plans of intentionally doing nothing with his life that Roger begins to break through his shell — 40 years later.

The two have soft chemistry throughout the film; Roger’s sharp tongue and guarded demeanor plays well with Florence’s quiet naiveté, and both characters’ fragility is displayed in their always-awkward sexual encounters.

Stiller is a seasoned professional, ditching his typical funnyman role to play a character with surprising depth. Stiller’s neurotic mannerisms are evident in the way Roger stands alone at a crowded party, lectures a group of college students on the pitfalls of their generation and hand-writes formal complaints to companies, like Starbucks and American Airlines.

While, typically, Roger Greenberg may draw images of a man in a mid-life crisis, Baumbach carefully crafts his character, painting Roger not as a pitiful older man, but rather someone too stubborn and arrogant to realize the opportunities he’s passed up.

In fact, Roger Greenberg is hardly a likeable character, having emotional outbursts over insignificant problems and cursing wildly at crowded L.A. restaurants to the chagrin of everyone, audiences included. These uncomfortable moments only make Roger’s possible redemption all the more hoped for.

James Murphy, lead singer of popular indie-electronic band LCD Soundsystem, scored the film’s soundtrack, offering a unique set of songs which help to underscore the Los Angeles setting.

What makes “Greenberg” work is its ability to capture the hopelessness of modern life without being overly pretentious, and by the end of the movie, it’s difficult not to feel a sense of connection to Baumbach’s characters.

Contact CU Independent Entertainment Editor Sebastian Murdock at Sebastian.murdock@colorado.edu.