Greenberg (film)

Last updated
Greenberg
Greenberg poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Noah Baumbach
Screenplay byNoah Baumbach
Story by
Produced by
Starring
Cinematography Harris Savides
Edited byTim Streeto
Music by James Murphy
Production
company
Scott Rudin Productions
Distributed by Focus Features
Release dates
  • February 14, 2010 (2010-02-14)(Berlinale)
  • March 19, 2010 (2010-03-19)(United States)
Running time
107 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$25 million [1]
Box office$7 million [2]

Greenberg is a 2010 American romantic comedy-drama film directed by Noah Baumbach, who wrote the screenplay and co-wrote the story with his then-wife Jennifer Jason Leigh. The film stars Ben Stiller, Greta Gerwig, Rhys Ifans, and Leigh, with Mark Duplass, Merritt Wever, Chris Messina, Brie Larson, Juno Temple, Jake Paltrow, and Dave Franco in supporting roles. The film's soundtrack features the first film score by James Murphy.

Contents

The film had its world premiere at the 60th Berlin International Film Festival on February 14, 2010. [3] Distributed by Focus Features, Greenberg began a limited theatrical release in New York City and Los Angeles on March 19, 2010, followed by a wide release in the United States on March 26. [4] It received positive reviews from critics and grossed $7 million worldwide against a budget of $25 million.

Plot

Florence Marr is a personal assistant to the Greenberg family in Hollywood Hills. Before the family leaves on a trip to Vietnam, Phillip Greenberg explains his brother Roger will be staying at the house, ostensibly to build a doghouse for their pet German Shepherd, Mahler. Phillip's wife, Carol, confides that Roger has been recently released from a psychiatric hospital after a nervous breakdown.

Arriving from New York City, Roger has an awkward encounter with Florence. He spends his time building the doghouse, watching neighbors swim in the Greenbergs' pool, and writing various letters of complaint. His Welsh friend Ivan Schrank invites him to a party at the home of their former bandmate Eric Beller, where Roger is uncomfortable and Eric is openly hostile. Roger encounters Beth, an ex-girlfriend, explaining he is in Los Angeles to simply do nothing for a while.

Roger calls Florence to meet for a drink. He does not drive, so she picks him up, stopping at her apartment for her purse. They begin to have sex, but Florence stops him, having just come out of a long relationship and not wanting to have meaningless sex. Roger suggests they keep things platonic, and she agrees, but they remain drawn to each other.

Over dinner, Eric vents that Roger declined a major record deal for their band 15 years earlier. He marvels that Ivan, devastated by losing the contract, still speaks to him.

Noticing the dog Mahler is lethargic, Roger calls Florence to take Mahler to a veterinarian, where they learn he has an autoimmune disease. Their relationship soon escalates, with Florence falling for Roger despite his outbursts and awkwardness.

Roger meets Beth for drinks and recalls minute details from their time together, which she barely remembers. She leaves abruptly when Roger tries to rekindle their relationship.

After Florence and Roger finally have sex, he yells at her for pursuing him when he does not want to become involved. The next day, a remorseful Roger calls Florence, who confesses that she is due to have an abortion the following day. Roger offers to take her; since he does not drive, Ivan drives them to the clinic, where she undergoes general anaesthesia and stays overnight.

Back at the house, Roger's college-aged niece Sara visits. Leaving for Australia in the morning with her friend Muriel, they throw a house party with dozens of their friends, with whom Roger does drugs. Ivan arrives and gets into an argument with Roger, finally voicing his feelings over their lost record deal. Roger confesses he had no idea his personal concerns would end the band, for which he feels immense guilt. They bemoan that they have ended up in lives they did not plan to have, though Ivan has made peace with his. Having learned from Florence that Roger had been hospitalized, and having been through a similar experience himself, Ivan laments that they could have helped each other. He leaves, declaring that they never truly talk, and saddened that Roger never made an effort to know Ivan's son. Dejected and inebriated, Roger leaves a long voicemail for Florence, confessing that he really likes her.

The next day, Roger accepts Sara and Muriel's invitation to accompany them to Australia. He convinces the neighbors to take care of Mahler, but on the way to the airport, he changes his mind. Instead, he goes to meet Florence at the clinic, and they return to her apartment. There, she listens to Roger's voicemail.

Cast

Production

The story was developed by Jennifer Jason Leigh and Noah Baumbach. In a departure from Baumbach's previous New York-set films, the story was to be set in Los Angeles. [5]

Ben Stiller was cast as the titular Greenberg, having been a fan of Baumbach's work. Stiller said, "Noah's work is very detailed and goes into specifics on the characters; it's all written on the page. We rehearsed a lot; it really has to be said as written. So there was hardly any improvisation on the shoot and that was exciting — not having the burden of having to come up with something to try to make it better. What I had to do was to make sure that I would get the rhythm of his dialogue, his lines, to work. Some sequences — 4–6 pages in the script — were like doing little plays." [5] The film was the first of multiple collaborations between Stiller and Baumbach.

Principal photography was completed within seven weeks. [5] Specific Los Angeles locations were written into the film, including Lucy's El Adobe restaurant, the Runyon Canyon hiking trails, the Fairfax district along Melrose Avenue, and the Highland Gardens Hotel. [5]

Soundtrack

"Sounds nothing like LCD, really, which cracks us [Baumbach and him] both up."--James Murphy James Murphy at 2007 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.jpg
"Sounds nothing like LCD, really, which cracks us [Baumbach and him] both up."—James Murphy

The soundtrack is arranged by DFA Records co-founder James Murphy. It is Murphy's debut film score, and it includes original compositions credited to Murphy, his band LCD Soundsystem as well as songs by other artists. [7] The film itself contained 25 unique songs, leaving 8 out of the soundtrack. [8] [9]

Track listing

  1. Steve Miller Band: "Jet Airliner"
  2. James Murphy: "People"
  3. Nite Jewel: "Suburbia"
  4. James Murphy: "Sleepy Baby"
  5. James Murphy: "Thumbs"
  6. Albert Hammond: "It Never Rains in Southern California"
  7. James Murphy: "Plenty of Time"
  8. James Murphy: "Photographs"
  9. James Murphy: "Gente"
  10. Galaxie 500: "Strange"
  11. LCD Soundsystem: "Oh You (Christmas Blues)"
  12. James Murphy: "Birthday Song"
  13. James Murphy: "Dear You"
  14. The Sonics: "Shot Down"
  15. Duran Duran: "The Chauffeur"
  16. James Murphy: "If You Need a Friend"
  17. James Murphy : "Please Don't Follow Me"
  18. James Murphy: "Photographs (Piano)"

Reception

Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 77% based on 176 reviews, with an average rating of 6.7/10. The website's critics consensus reads, "Greenberg's title character is harder to like than most, but Ben Stiller's nuanced performance and a darkly funny script help take the misanthropic edge off." [10] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 76 out of 100, based on 39 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews". [11]

Roger Ebert gave the film three-and-a-half stars out of four. Ebert praised Stiller's performance and wrote: "I never knew who Ben Stiller was born to play, but now I do." [12] Peter Travers of Rolling Stone magazine, gave the film three out of four stars and wrote, "Writer-director Noah Baumbach [...] walks the fragile line between humor and heartbreak. [...] Even when you laugh, like in the climactic party scene, it hurts." [13] Ann Hornaday of The Washington Post called the film "a quietly funny portrait of grown-ups growing up" and gave it three out of four stars. Hornaday praised the lead performances, noting "Stiller inhabits his character's neuroses so thoroughly that it's easy to forget what a challenge it is to make such misanthropy the least bit compelling" and said Gerwig "proves her bona fides here as a fine, engaging young actress." [14]

In a mixed review, Kurt Loder of MTV News wrote, "The movie is set up as a quirky romance between two lost souls, but in the end it seems more like a stalemate than a love match." [15] David Edelstein of New York magazine lamented: "Greenberg would be a heckuva movie if we could just get Greenberg out of there." [16]

Accolades

Rhys Ifans, Greta Gerwig, Ben Stiller, and Noah Baumbach promoting the film at the 60th Berlin International Film Festival Berlinale greenberg.jpg
Rhys Ifans, Greta Gerwig, Ben Stiller, and Noah Baumbach promoting the film at the 60th Berlin International Film Festival
AwardYearCategoryRecipientResultRef(s)
Berlin International Film Festival 2010 Golden Bear Award for Best Film Noah BaumbachNominated
Gotham Independent Film Awards Breakthrough Actor Greta GerwigNominated
National Board of Review Awards Top Ten Independent Films GreenbergWon
Independent Spirit Awards 2011 Best Feature Nominated
Best Male Lead Ben StillerNominated
Best Female Lead Greta GerwigNominated
Best Cinematography Harris SavidesNominated

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Noah Baumbach</span> American filmmaker (born 1969)

Noah Baumbach is an American filmmaker. He is known for making light comedies set in New York City and his works are inspired by filmmakers such as Woody Allen and Whit Stillman. His frequent collaborators include Wes Anderson, Adam Driver, and his wife, Greta Gerwig.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LCD Soundsystem</span> American indie rock band

LCD Soundsystem is an American electronic rock band from Brooklyn, New York, formed in 2002 by James Murphy, co-founder of DFA Records. The band comprises Murphy, Nancy Whang, Pat Mahoney (drums), Tyler Pope, Al Doyle, Matt Thornley, and Korey Richey. They have been signed to DFA since their inception, and also signed to Columbia Records in 2016.

<i>The Squid and the Whale</i> 2005 film by Noah Baumbach

The Squid and the Whale is a 2005 American independent comedy-drama film written and directed by Noah Baumbach and produced by Wes Anderson. It tells the semi-autobiographical story of two boys in Brooklyn dealing with their parents' divorce in 1986. The film is named after the giant squid and sperm whale diorama housed at the American Museum of Natural History, which is seen in the film. The film was shot on Super 16 mm, mostly using a handheld camera.

<i>Kicking and Screaming</i> (1995 film) Film by Noah Baumbach

Kicking and Screaming is a 1995 American romantic comedy-drama film written and directed by Noah Baumbach in his feature directorial debut. The film stars Josh Hamilton, Olivia d'Abo, Parker Posey, Chris Eigeman, and Eric Stoltz.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Murphy (electronic musician)</span> American musician

James Jeremiah Murphy is an American musician, DJ, singer, songwriter, and record producer. His most well-known musical project is LCD Soundsystem, which first gained attention with its single "Losing My Edge" in 2002 before releasing its eponymous debut album in February 2005 to critical acclaim and top 20 success in the UK. LCD Soundsystem's second and third studio albums, Sound of Silver (2007) and This Is Happening (2010) respectively, were praised by several music review outlets. Both albums have also reached the top 50 in the Billboard 200.

<i>Prime</i> (film) 2005 American film

Prime is a 2005 American romantic comedy-drama film starring Uma Thurman, Meryl Streep, and Bryan Greenberg. It was written and directed by Ben Younger. The film grossed $67,937,503 worldwide.

<i>Greenberg</i> (soundtrack) 2010 album

Greenberg: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is the soundtrack to Noah Baumbach's film Greenberg. It includes LCD Soundsystem musician and DFA Records co-founder James Murphy's debut film score, as well as songs by other artists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greta Gerwig</span> American actress and filmmaker (born 1983)

Greta Celeste Gerwig is an American actress, screenwriter, and film director. Initially known for working on various mumblecore films, she has since expanded from acting in and co-writing independent films to directing major studio films. Gerwig was included in the annual Time 100 list of the most influential people in the world in 2018.

<i>Submarine</i> (2010 film) 2010 film by Richard Ayoade

Submarine is a 2010 coming-of-age comedy-drama film written and directed by Richard Ayoade and starring Noah Taylor, Paddy Considine, Craig Roberts, Yasmin Paige and Sally Hawkins. It is based on the 2008 novel of the same name by Joe Dunthorne, and is an international co-production between the United Kingdom and the United States. Submarine is Ayoade's directorial debut.

<i>While Were Young</i> (film) 2014 film by Noah Baumbach

While We're Young is a 2014 American comedy-drama film written, produced, and directed by Noah Baumbach. The film stars Ben Stiller, Naomi Watts, Adam Driver, and Amanda Seyfried; its plot centers on a New York–based documentary filmmaker and his wife, a couple in their 40s, who develop a friendship with a couple in their 20s. The film was screened in the Special Presentations section of the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival, and A24 released it in the United States on March 27, 2015. The film went on to gross more than any of Baumbach's previous films at the US box office.

<i>Frances Ha</i> 2012 film by Noah Baumbach

Frances Ha is a 2012 American black-and-white comedy-drama film directed by Noah Baumbach. It is written by Baumbach and Greta Gerwig, who also stars as Frances Halladay, a struggling 27-year-old dancer. The film premiered at the Telluride Film Festival on September 1, 2012, and was given a limited theatrical release in the United States on May 17, 2013, by IFC Films.

<i>Mistress America</i> 2015 film by Noah Baumbach

Mistress America is a 2015 American comedy film directed by Noah Baumbach. It was written by Baumbach and Greta Gerwig, who stars alongside Lola Kirke. The film was released on August 14, 2015, by Fox Searchlight Pictures.

<i>The Meyerowitz Stories</i> 2017 film by Noah Baumbach

The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected) is a 2017 American comedy-drama film directed and written by Noah Baumbach. The film stars Adam Sandler, Ben Stiller, Dustin Hoffman, Elizabeth Marvel and Emma Thompson, and follows a group of dysfunctional adult siblings trying to live in the shadow of their father.

<i>American Dream</i> (LCD Soundsystem album) 2017 studio album by LCD Soundsystem

American Dream is the fourth studio album by American rock band LCD Soundsystem, released on September 1, 2017, by DFA and Columbia. It was announced on January 5, 2016, the day after it was revealed that the band was reuniting after a disbandment lasting nearly five years. It is the band's first album in seven years, following This Is Happening (2010). This album reached number 1 on the Top Rock Albums chart and was LCD Soundsystem's first record to top the US Billboard 200.

The 24th San Diego Film Critics Society Awards were announced on December 9, 2019.

<i>White Noise</i> (2022 film) Film by Noah Baumbach

White Noise is a 2022 absurdist comedy drama film written and directed by Noah Baumbach, adapted from the 1985 novel with the same title by Don DeLillo. It is Baumbach's first directed feature not to be based on an original story of his own. The film stars Adam Driver, Greta Gerwig, and Don Cheadle. Set in the 1980s, the story follows the life of a niche academic and his family as they go through trials and tribulations, beginning with an environmental disaster near their home.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Body Rhumba</span> 2022 LCD Soundsystem song

"New Body Rhumba" is a 2022 song by American rock band LCD Soundsystem, recorded for the soundtrack of the 2022 Noah Baumbach film White Noise. It was released as a digital single on September 30, 2022, through DFA and Columbia Records.

<i>White Noise</i> (soundtrack) 2022 film score by Danny Elfman

White Noise is the soundtrack album to the 2022 film of the same name, directed by Noah Baumbach. The film's original score, which was composed by Danny Elfman, was released into a 20-track album on November 18, 2022 by Netflix Music. It also accompanies an original song, "The Cloud is Coming" performed by Dean Wareham and Britta Phillips. A single "New Body Rhumba" was recorded for the film's soundtrack, but did not include in the album, despite being released as a single on September 30.

Sam Levy is an American cinematographer. He is best known for shooting the films Lady Bird for director Greta Gerwig, Frances Ha for director Noah Baumbach, Wendy and Lucy for director Kelly Reichardt, Rothanie for director Bo Burnham, and Mayday for director Karen Cinorre.

<i>Frances Ha</i> (soundtrack) 2013 soundtrack album

Frances Ha (Music from the Motion Picture) is the soundtrack to the 2013 film of the same title. Released through ABKCO Records on May 28, 2013, the soundtrack featured music from French musicians and composers, as well as pop hits from David Bowie, Paul McCartney and several other musicians. The soundtrack received positive reviews from critics.

References

  1. Richman, Darren (October 4, 2017). "Movies You Might Have Missed: Noah Baumbach's Greenberg". The Independent . Retrieved July 2, 2018.
  2. "Greenberg (2010)". The Numbers . Retrieved August 30, 2016.
  3. "Greenberg". Berlin International Film Festival. Archived from the original on February 6, 2010. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  4. "Meet the Actors: Ben Stiller and Greta Gerwig". Focus Features. March 16, 2010. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Making of Greenberg". focusfeatures.com. Focus Features. January 27, 2010. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
  6. Adams, Sean (November 24, 2009). "LCD Soundsystem: 10 Questions for 2010". Drowned in Sound . Archived from the original on November 26, 2009. Retrieved February 11, 2010.
  7. Dombal, Ryan (February 5, 2010). "James Murphy's Greenberg Soundtrack Details". Pitchfork . Archived from the original on February 7, 2010. Retrieved February 5, 2010.
  8. "Greenberg [2015] Soundtrack". what-song.com. Retrieved September 14, 2015.
  9. "Greenberg – all of the music in the film". Extra Geographic. June 12, 2010. Archived from the original on September 27, 2020. Retrieved August 30, 2016.
  10. "Greenberg". Rotten Tomatoes . Retrieved July 2, 2018.
  11. "Greenberg Reviews". Metacritic . Retrieved April 28, 2010.
  12. Ebert, Roger (March 24, 2010). "If he's stuck like this at 40, is it for good?". Chicago Sun-Times . Retrieved August 30, 2016 via RogerEbert.com.
  13. Travers, Peter (March 19, 2010). "Greenberg" . Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on December 20, 2010. Retrieved August 30, 2016.
  14. Hornaday, Ann (March 26, 2010). "Growing up is never easy". The Washington Post . Archived from the original on 25 April 2010.
  15. Loder, Kurt (March 26, 2010). "'Greenberg': L.A. Story, By Kurt Loder". MTV News. Archived from the original on November 13, 2023. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  16. Edelstein, David (March 29, 2010). "Greenberg – Movie Review and Showtimes". New York . Retrieved August 30, 2016.
  17. "Programme 2010". Berlin International Film Festival. Archived from the original on November 9, 2013. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  18. Blaney, Martin (February 22, 2010). "Semih Kaplanoglu's Honey takes Berlinale Golden Bear" . Screen Daily . Archived from the original on October 29, 2020. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  19. "Past Recipients of 2010". Gotham Awards . Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  20. "2010 Award Winners". National Board of Review . Retrieved 10 December 2022.
  21. Thompson, Anne (November 30, 2010). "Independent Spirit Nominations: Winter's Bone, Black Swan, The Kids Are All Right Head for Oscars". IndieWire . Retrieved 10 December 2022.
  22. Fernandez, Sofia M. (February 26, 2011). "2011 Independent Spirit Awards Winners List". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved September 18, 2023.