BLU-Ray REE-vu: Greenberg



Look up "discombobulated" in the dictionary and you'll see a snapshot of Roger Greenberg. He's the headline character of Ben Stiller's Indy-feel flick, Greenberg. If you like watching characters with a unique edge--not likeable, mind you, but uniquely real...if you like watching these characters slowly develop with a few moments of head-scratching madness...if you don't mind a story going essentially nowhere, but might enjoy going along for the ride...well, then you might want to rent Greenberg. Just be warned. It's a ride that is comparable to a drive through Iowa and Kansas.

Roger (Stiller) has come to LA from New York to house sit for his brother, Phillip (Chris Messina), while the latter's family jets off to Vietnam. Roger has had his problems, being recently released from a mental health facility. He's out-of-sorts. Roger's frustrated with life in-general mainly because it seems that he's frustrated with his own life specifically.

Roger makes is impact on the world through various letters of suggestion or complaint. Whether encouraging Mayor Bloomberg to take his advice on noise pollution or complaining to American Airlines or Pet Taxi, Roger has a lot to get off his chest. However, a bigger problem for Roger than an unsuitable ride in a pet taxi or car horns in NYC is his personal relationship with any animate creation. Past and present, Roger's connections with his fellow man are frustrating. They have frustrated him--you never really know what's going to trigger one of his explosions. They have frustrated his friends--because Roger is as reliable as a rubber with a hole in it. And, they have frustrated me--for watching this long journey around a bumpy circle. Don't get me wrong. Roger does make some headway as the film progresses. His self-centered bulls eye does expand somewhat by film's end, but not nearly enough to make you even like the guy. Actually, save Florence (Greta Gerwig) and Mahler (the German Shepherd), there are no remotely likeable characters in this flick at all.

I'll give it 2.5 stars--slightly on the negative side of so-so. Yes, we watch as Roger expands somewhat on his ego-centric circle of self-gratification. We watch Roger deal with having let down his band friends 20 years prior; and, we watch him take responsibility for Mahler and even possibly develop feelings for Florence. But, at the end of an hour and forty-seven minutes, I need more. A likeable character that didn't require Frontline every 30-days would be a start. Yeah, we're probably not supposed to like Roger. I get that. I was, however, hoping that Roger would grow into someone that I would like. Not so much. I wouldn't want him showing up at my door at the start of the flick nor as the credits rolled.

I've got to go watch the Colts beat the Broncos--remember, no mowing this weekend...it's time for a steak and some junk food. Enjoy your Sunday!

True...OUT!