Greenberg

I'm not sure if Ben Stiller has ever been better. I'm not sure if he's really had the chance before. His performance as Roger Greenberg is so nuanced, layered, and damn impressive, that I am surprised he hasn't shown this side of himself more often. His oft bursts of rage, along with the character's tendency to snark away ("...life is wasted on people"), really allows Stiller to show and explore a new side, and he's up to the challenge. Even when the anger/ resentment seems to just come out of nowhere, Stiller sells it, coming from a real place. The idea that "the normal stuff is really hard for him" isn't just a throwaway, or lazy writing to explain one thing, it really is a large part of the character, and often drives his motivations.

Greta Gerwig as Florence, Greenberg's sort of girlfriend, and assistant to his brother, is great as well. Their chemistry is remarkable, and she does damn well at playing a somewhat nervous wreck, having "just gotten out of a long term relationship". She projects a humble demeanor, but allows the talents and why/ how Greenberg would be attracted to her, to really spring up naturally.

Rhys Ifans is Greenberg's best friend, whom holds a bit of a grudge against him. He's quite good, showing how much exactly, is too much of Greenberg. World weary, but accepting, he understands Roger, without understanding him. No easy feat.

Noah Baumbach's direction is excellent, with lots of clean looking frames; quite symmetrical, perhaps to go along with Roger's job as a carpenter. The camera doesn't move often, with Baumbach employing a more passive take, but when it does, it's quite significant. As a writer, he gets everything write- from the irony of Greenberg making his family a doghouse and the dog getting sick, to the timing of the freakouts, and what set them off. There's a ton of smaller detailed most other writers might have forgotten or looked over, but not here.

The ending is absolutely genius, and really made the film for me. Just wait and see, it's brilliant, effecting, and heartwarming, but not in a pandering way, nor does it sell out.

Truly, a masterstroke of a character study with amazing characters and actors that fully embody their characters.