Greenberg (R, 2010)
common sense media says
Unhealthy relationship is focus of darkly funny adult drama.
parents & educators say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this darkly comedic drama is not meant for kids. Director Noah Baumbach, as in his other films, stakes his film firmly in messy, sometimes caustic, emotional terrain -- one character has just been discharged from a mental hospital, another gets an abortion -- that may be too mature for most teens. The film's protagonist (Ben Stiller) is a malcontent who rails against injustices small and large -- especially small. Swearing (everything from “asshole” to “dick” to “f--k”) and insults are part of his usual patter. His love interest endures continuous emotional battering, and comes back for more. There’s also a fairly graphic oral sex scene, and a scene where an adult does cocaine with college students.
Positive role models:
Neither of the main characters is particularly stable, but one is compassionate and caring, to a fault. And the other takes a while to see the value in human interaction, but eventually comes around.
Violence:
A character spews venom out of the blue, so his rage hits hard sometimes. Some expletive-riddled shouting matches.
Sex:
A man performs oral sex on a woman; the scene is shot from afar, so no body parts are exposed. A woman’s breast can be glimpsed in the shadows briefly. Another exchanges sexual banter with a much older man. A couple has sex on a couch; no genitals shown.
Language:
Everything from “damn” to “bitch” to “f--k” -- and plenty of it. Also, a few uses of "God" and "Jesus" as exclamations.
Consumerism:
Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
Social drinking; a forty-something man helps host a party for college students, and everyone is pretty much buzzed or sloshed. Some characters snort cocaine at a party.
More on Greenberg
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Most useful reviews by all members
khan2705
adult
adult
a dark indie dramedy, good character study.
Roger Greenberg (Ben Stiller), single, fortyish and at a crossroads in his life, finds himself in Los Angeles, house-sitting for six weeks for his more successful/married-with-children brother. In search of a place to restart his life, Greenberg tries to reconnect with old friends including his former bandmate Ivan (Rhys Ifans). But old friends aren't necessarily still best friends, and Greenberg soon finds himself spending more and more time with his brother's personal assistant Florence (Greta Gerwig), an aspiring singer and also something of a lost soul. Despite his best attempts not to be drawn in, Greenberg and Florence manage to forge a connection, and Greenberg realizes he may at last have found a reason to be happy.
first of all this movie is not everyone's cup of tea, its extremely slow moving, nothing much really happens all the time, annoying, boring, simple moving. its an indie drama, and a decent one. i am watching alot of indie movies nowadays, but good ones. this one if may not be the very best indie movie this year but a very decent one. a decent and fair attempt by Noah Baumbach.
This movie is just superb the way it is, it is a simple character study of the guy played by Ben Stiller, who by the way shocked me by playing this character exceptionally well, the only thing after the relax and smooth movement of the movie that kept me going was him and his performance. just superb. no doubt his best performance ever. i loved his character, the "I Hate everybody and everything" type and the unlikable very moody kind, certainly very good witty and dark character. loved it totally. Greta Gerwig and Rhys ifans were decent. so good performances all in all.
directions is good, screenplay is decent just a little bit towards end trips a little bit. overall decent effort. dialogues were good and the way story and plot goes is really good.
as i said the way this movie is i really liked and the second most favorite thing is Ben's character. its a dark dry indie comedy drama, not like any other movie, its different but good. stellar and moving movie. above average. Watch it i'll say.
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