Greenberg Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Ben Stiller plays a grumpy carpenter who ruins everyone’s good time and somehow gets a girlfriend despite being a total buzzkill.

🍿 Greenberg: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Roger’s Return to LA

Roger Greenberg (Ben Stiller), a recent mental hospital patient, arrives in Los Angeles to house-sit for his successful brother, Phillip. He plans to do ‘nothing’ during his stay, a stark contrast to his brother’s busy life. Roger is disconnected and struggles to find purpose or direction, immediately setting a tone of unease and introspection.

Relationship with Florence

Florence Marr (Greta Gerwig), Phillip’s personal assistant, is tasked with helping Roger. Their relationship quickly becomes complicated. Roger’s abrasive personality clashes with Florence’s kind nature, leading to awkward encounters and unexpected intimacy. Their dynamic is central to the film’s exploration of connection and personal growth.

Confronting the Past

Roger reconnects with old bandmates, Eric and Ivan, and his ex-girlfriend, Beth. These encounters force him to confront past decisions, especially his refusal to sign a record deal that could have changed their lives. He struggles with guilt and regret, highlighting his inability to move forward. He also attends a party thrown by his niece, solidifying how out of touch he is.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Roger Greenberg (Ben Stiller): A recently hospitalized, cynical carpenter who house-sits for his brother in Los Angeles while trying to figure out his life.
• Florence Marr (Greta Gerwig): A considerate but insecure personal assistant who forms a complicated relationship with Roger Greenberg.
• Ivan Schrank (Rhys Ifans): Roger’s long-suffering former bandmate who grapples with his own life choices and frustrations.
• Beth (Jennifer Jason Leigh): Roger’s ex-girlfriend who has moved on and rejects his attempts to rekindle their past.
• Phillip Greenberg (Chris Messina): Roger’s successful brother, who provides Roger with a place to stay and indirectly sets the stage for his interactions with Florence.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Roger Greenberg: “A shrink said to me once that I have trouble living in the present, so I linger on the past because I felt like I never really lived it in the first place, you know?” – Roger explains his tendency to dwell on the past to Florence, revealing his struggle with living in the present.
• Roger Greenberg: “I’m trying to do nothing. I’m trying to do as little as possible.” – Roger explains his current life philosophy, indicating his attempt to avoid responsibility and engagement.
• Beth: “It’s brave for a man in his mid-forties to have no ambition.” – Beth confronts Roger about his lack of drive and purpose in life during their awkward encounter.
• Ivan Schrank: “We never talk about anything good or meaningful.” – Ivan expresses his frustration with Roger’s negativity and inability to have genuine conversations.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $25 million
• Domestic Gross: $4,234,170
• Worldwide Gross: $6,344,112

💥 Greenberg Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, I wasn’t sure what to expect going in, but ‘Greenberg’ really hit me hard. Ben Stiller is amazing as this totally messed-up guy, and Greta Gerwig is just so real. I felt like I *knew* these people. The scene where he’s trying to apologize to his old bandmate was so awkward and true, I cringed! It’s not a feel-good movie, but it makes you think about life, regret, and second chances. Definitely worth a watch if you’re looking for something real and honest.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of independent films”
  • “Viewers interested in character-driven stories”
  • “Those who enjoy dry and subtle humor”
  • “People who appreciate realistic portrayals of relationships”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong language”
  • “Sexual content”
  • “Drug use”
  • “Mature themes”
  • “Reference to mental illness”
  • “Abortion”

Professional Reviews

• IndieWire: “Greenberg offers a raw and honest portrayal of mid-life malaise. Stiller delivers a career-best performance, showcasing his dramatic range in a way rarely seen. Baumbach’s direction creates an intimate, character-driven experience that’s both uncomfortable and deeply relatable. However, the film’s slow pace and lack of conventional plot may not appeal to all viewers.
• The New York Times: “Noah Baumbach’s ‘Greenberg’ finds humor in discomfort. Stiller’s portrayal of the titular character is compelling, albeit frustrating at times. Gerwig offers a grounded performance as Florence. The movie challenges audiences to empathize with flawed individuals and recognize the complexities of human relationships.
• Variety: “Greenberg showcases strong performances from its leads, particularly Stiller, who breaks from his comedic roots. However, the film’s meandering plot and unlikeable characters may alienate viewers. Baumbach’s direction is competent, but the film ultimately lacks a compelling narrative.

Audience Reactions

Ben Stiller’s surprisingly nuanced performance was a standout.: Many viewers appreciated the film’s realistic portrayal of flawed characters and their struggles with life’s challenges.

Greta Gerwig’s performance was authentic and relatable.: The film’s exploration of mid-life crises and the search for meaning resonated with many audience members.

Overall Consensus: Greenberg is a character-driven drama that polarizes viewers, praised for its realism and performances but criticized for its slow pace and unlikeable characters.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Noah Baumbach and Jennifer Jason Leigh rewrote the script to make Greenberg 40 years old specifically after Ben Stiller was cast.”
• “The film’s naturalistic dialogue and character-driven plot are characteristic of the mumblecore film movement, influencing its indie feel.”
• “The story, co-written by Jennifer Jason Leigh, draws on personal experiences, contributing to the film’s authentic portrayal of complex relationships.”

🖥️ How to Watch Greenberg?

Greenberg is available for streaming on various platforms. You can find it for rent or purchase on Prime Video, Apple TV, and other digital retailers. Check your preferred platform for availability in your region. Some services may offer free trials or subscription options.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Greenberg, you might like these similar films:

• The Squid and the Whale (2005): Shares a similar tone and themes of dysfunctional family dynamics and intellectual angst, also directed by Noah Baumbach.
• Lost in Translation (2003): Explores themes of isolation and finding unexpected connections in unfamiliar environments, similar to Greenberg’s journey of self-discovery.
• Sideways (2004): Features a middle-aged protagonist grappling with personal failures and searching for meaning, resonating with Greenberg’s mid-life crisis.
• Frances Ha (2012): Features Greta Gerwig as a young woman struggling to find her place in life, echoing Florence’s character and the film’s indie sensibility.

🛒 Greenberg Related Products

• Greenberg (Blu-ray): Own the critically acclaimed indie drama ‘Greenberg’ on Blu-ray and experience the nuanced performances and thought-provoking story in high definition. Includes behind-the-scenes features and interviews with the cast and crew.
• Ben Stiller: 10-Movie Collection: A collection of Ben Stiller’s most memorable comedic and dramatic roles, showcasing his versatility as an actor, including ‘Greenberg.’ A must-have for any Stiller fan.
• The Squid and the Whale (Criterion Collection): Explore Noah Baumbach’s breakthrough film, ‘The Squid and the Whale,’ in a beautifully restored Criterion Collection edition. Includes insightful commentary, behind-the-scenes footage, and essays on Baumbach’s directing style.
• Indie Movie Soundtrack Collection: A curated collection of soundtracks from influential independent films, featuring tracks similar in tone and style to those found in ‘Greenberg.’ Discover new artists and rediscover classic indie hits.

🎧 Soundtrack

Greenberg features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Jet Airliner” – performed by Steve Miller Band
• “Sonic Reducer” – performed by Dead Boys
• “After Hours” – performed by Weirdos

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Greenberg reviewed by Mark Kermode

Want to know what a top film critic *really* thought of ‘Greenberg’? Mark Kermode doesn’t hold back, and his take on Ben Stiller’s character is pretty spot-on. You might see the movie in a whole new light after this!

✨ Rate