Greenberg

Greenberg is another acerbic, well-observed comedy from writer/director Noah Baumbach. Ben Stiller stars as the eponymous curmudgeon, once a musician on the cusp of stardom, now floundering into his forties, who returns to L.A. from New York to mansion-sit for his vacationing brother. While Baumbach's characterizations and dialogue remain as sharp as ever, he has also developed an impressive, understated cinematic style. The widescreen cinematography by ace DP Harris Savides fits the sprawling L.A. setting and gives the film the 1970s vibe Baumbach aims for, while highlighting the main character's physical and spiritual tininess in that vast space. It's a cohesive work, from sound design (notable in a scene where Greenberg nearly drowns in his brother's swimming pool with the menacing buzzing of a helicopter overhead) to editing (as in a diffusely cut party sequence illustrating Greenberg's alienation) to the typically strong performances. Stiller is at his best here in a role unlike any he's played before, and Greta Gerwig and Rhys Ifans are both heartbreaking as goodhearted people struggling to be a part of Greenberg's life. Greenberg isn't especially likeable, and the film includes a couple of the most discomfiting sex scenes ever committed to celluloid, but, in the end, Baumbach and Stiller's commitment and integrity shine through, arriving at a conclusion that's moving, even profound.