SCREEN IT! PARENTAL REVIEW: GREENBERG

"GREENBERG"
(2010) (Ben Stiller, Greta Gerwig) (R)

Alcohol/ Drugs	Blood/Gore	Disrespectful/ Bad Attitude	Frightening/ Tense Scenes	Guns/ Weapons
Extreme	Minor	Extreme	Mild	None

Imitative Behavior	Jump Scenes	Music (Scary/Tense)	Music (Inappropriate)	Profanity
Moderate	Minor	None	None	Extreme

Sex/ Nudity	Smoking	Tense Family Scenes	Topics To Talk About	Violence
Extreme	Mild	Heavy	Heavy	Minor

QUICK TAKE:: Dramedy: Having been released from a mental hospital, an unhappy man returns to his old stomping grounds to house-sit for his brother where he ends up getting involved with his sibling's personal assistant while trying to relive his youth through his ex-girlfriend and former band mate.

PLOT:

Decades ago, Roger Greenberg (BEN STILLER) was a member of a band that was on the verge of hitting it big. But his know-it-all attitude and distrust of others eventually ruined their shot and everyone moved on with their lives, except for Roger. Having just been released from a mental hospital in New York, he's returned to his old stomping grounds of Los Angeles to house-sit for his brother who's off to vacation with his family in Vietnam.

Now a carpenter by trade, Roger doesn't plan on doing anything more in the upcoming six weeks than build a doghouse for the family pet. But he finds himself attracted to his brother's much younger personal assistant, Florence Marr (GRETA GERWIG), who stops by to check on things and help out Roger however she can. The two end up having a sexual encounter -- not long after she's done the same with another total stranger while out partying with her best friend, Gina (MERRIT WEVER) -- but Roger can't decide how he feels about her.

Of course, it doesn't help that he wants to relive his glory days and thus makes contact with his ex-girlfriend from way back when, Beth (JENNIFER JASON LEIGH) -- who's since married, had kids and is now going through a divorce -- as well as former band mate Ivan Schrank (RHYS IFANS) who's similarly facing marriage issues of his own. Considering that they've moved on with their lives and grown up while he's remained in something of an identity crisis limbo, Roger ends up clashing with reality. As the weeks wear on, he ends up pushing his relationships with them as well as Florence to the brink as he tries to figure out what to do with himself and his life.

WILL KIDS WANT TO SEE IT?: Unless they're fans of someone in the cast or films by director Noah Baumbach, it doesn't seem too likely.

WHY THE MPAA RATED IT: R: For some strong sexuality, drug use, and language.

CAST AS ROLE MODELS:: BEN STILLER plays an unhappy, middle aged man, fresh out of a mental hospital, who travels across the country to his old stomping grounds where he's going to house-sit for his brother for the next six weeks. Now a carpenter by trade, he plans on doing nothing more than building a dog house for the family pet, but ends up involved with Florence, including sexually. Yet, he treats her badly, just as he does Ivan, his former band mate, simply because he doesn't know what he wants from himself or life and would rather try to relive his glory days, including with ex-girlfriend Beth, rather than face reality. He uses strong profanity, drinks, does drugs, and has a penchant for penning complaint letters.
GRETA GERWIG his brother's personal assistant and aspiring singer, a woman much younger than him who has a weakness for casual sex, both with him and, earlier, a total stranger. She similarly doesn't know what she wants in life and his frustrated by his hot and cold treatment of her. She has an abortion, drinks, including to the point of intoxication in one scene, briefly smokes, and uses profanity.
RHYS IFANS plays Roger's former band mate who starts hanging out with him again. A former addict and currently fairly mellow and low-key sort of guy, he puts up with Roger's immaturity and other bad behavior. He's currently trying to get back together with his estranged wife and uses some profanity.
JENNIFER JASON LEIGH plays Roger's ex-girlfriend from decades ago who's since moved on with her life, gotten married, had kids and is now going through a divorce. Despite his overtures, she doesn't want to get involved with Roger again.; GRETA GERWIG his brother's personal assistant and aspiring singer, a woman much younger than him who has a weakness for casual sex, both with him and, earlier, a total stranger. She similarly doesn't know what she wants in life and his frustrated by his hot and cold treatment of her. She has an abortion, drinks, including to the point of intoxication in one scene, briefly smokes, and uses profanity.
RHYS IFANS plays Roger's former band mate who starts hanging out with him again. A former addict and currently fairly mellow and low-key sort of guy, he puts up with Roger's immaturity and other bad behavior. He's currently trying to get back together with his estranged wife and uses some profanity.
JENNIFER JASON LEIGH plays Roger's ex-girlfriend from decades ago who's since moved on with her life, gotten married, had kids and is now going through a divorce. Despite his overtures, she doesn't want to get involved with Roger again.; RHYS IFANS plays Roger's former band mate who starts hanging out with him again. A former addict and currently fairly mellow and low-key sort of guy, he puts up with Roger's immaturity and other bad behavior. He's currently trying to get back together with his estranged wife and uses some profanity.
JENNIFER JASON LEIGH plays Roger's ex-girlfriend from decades ago who's since moved on with her life, gotten married, had kids and is now going through a divorce. Despite his overtures, she doesn't want to get involved with Roger again.; JENNIFER JASON LEIGH plays Roger's ex-girlfriend from decades ago who's since moved on with her life, gotten married, had kids and is now going through a divorce. Despite his overtures, she doesn't want to get involved with Roger again.

CAST, CREW, & TECHNICAL INFO

HOW OTHERS RATED THIS MOVIE

Curious if this title is entertaining, any good, and/or has any artistic merit?
Then read OUR TAKE of this film.

(Note: The "Our Take" review of this title examines the film's artistic merits and does not take into account any of the possibly objectionable material listed below).

OUR WORD TO PARENTS:

Here's a quick look at the content found in this R-rated dramedy. Profanity consists of at least 41 "f" words, while other expletives and colorful phrases are also uttered. Sexually related dialogue is present, as are several fairly graphic/realistic sexual encounters (oral sex and intercourse), with movement, nudity and sounds.

Brief violence involves one man shoving another to the floor. Drinking occurs in various scenes (including intoxication in one), while one involves drug use (coke, pot, pills). Bad attitudes are present as is some potentially imitative behavior, and a few moments (a person struggling in a pool, a sick dog in several scenes) might be unsettling to some viewers. Tense family material and thematic elements (including abortion) are also present.

If you're still concerned about the film and its appropriateness for yourself or anyone else in your home who may be interested in seeing it, we suggest that you take a closer look at our detailed listings for more specific information regarding the film's content.

For those prone to visually induced motion sickness, there's some bouncy camerawork from time to time.

ALCOHOL OR DRUG USE: Florence and Gina have wine, while others drink beer.
On Roger's grocery list for Florence is whiskey.
Roger has a drink and asks Ivan if he wants one, but Ivan says he doesn't drink anymore.
People drink at a party.
Roger asks Beth if she'd like to get a drink at some point.
Roger asks Florence if she'd like to get a drink or something, and she agrees. But they change their plans from going to a bar to staying at her place and drinking, although she only has one beer and some vodka. They share the beer (taking turns drinking from the bottle), but don't have any more as that quickly segues to a sexual encounter.
Miscellaneous people have drinks in a restaurant.
People drink in a club and Gina comes over and orders four beers for her and her friends.
Roger has a drink in a restaurant where others drink, and then orders a second for himself.
Roger comments on Ivan's wife helping him (Ivan) with his addiction.
There's talk that Ivan was in rehab.
About a story from her past where she and her friend picked up some guys, Florence states that one of them was "almost retarded" or drunk.
Roger has a drink.
Ivan retrieves a few beers from the fridge at a pool party.
Roger talks of a junkie singer from the past.
Florence has a drink.
Roger downs one of his prescription pills with a drink.
After learning she's pregnant, and the night before having an abortion, Florence drinks and tells Roger (over the phone) that she's trying to get drunk.
Roger asks Ivan if he wants a drink (he doesn't).
Florence and Gina have wine or champagne.
People drink at a party at the main house (including Roger), with one young woman feeding beer to the pet dog (not knowing it's been sick). We then see a guy with cocaine who then offers the same to Roger who snorts some. When he talks to Ivan moments later on the phone, he admits to that and states the last time he did a line was with Ivan. Later, Roger asks the younger partygoers if they smoke crack, with one saying they have Vicodin. Roger then downs one such pill with booze and then does more coke. Much later, Roger smokes pot and chats with Ivan who's just arrived, commenting that Ivan was "f*cked up" all of the time in the past.
The morning after the above party, Roger states that he thinks he's still drunk (while we see empty bottles everywhere).

BLOOD/GORE: We hear (as does Roger) the sound of Florence urinating in a bathroom off the kitchen.
Before Florence can be released from the hospital following an abortion, we hear she must first pee and there are related comments about that.
Partygoers stand and stare at a dead animal floating in a pool. As Roger leans over to look closer, one young woman suddenly pushes him forward, but catches him (all as a joke).

DISRESPECTFUL/BAD ATTITUDE: A man at a party half-jokingly tells Roger that another man looks less Jewish than Roger.
Roger's brother has a bad attitude toward him over the phone (angry that the family dog got sick, etc.).
Roger gets mad at (and cusses out) Ivan for arranging for the waitstaff at a restaurant to come over and sing happy birthday to him.
About a story from her past where she and her friend picked up some guys, Florence states that one of them was "almost retarded" or drunk.
Throughout the film, Roger alternates between hot and cold toward Florence. When it appears Florence wants to take their relationship to the next level, Roger acts meanly toward her (including using strong profanity: "I don't want to f*cking do this anymore").
Roger throws out the thought that Florence acts the way she does due to being sexually molested by her father (she denies that).
Roger asks Florence, "You never f*cked that guy who plays guitar with you?" and she replies no.
After learning she's pregnant, Florence has an abortion via a D&C (those opposed to such an act will view that as a bad attitude).
Despite knowing he's a recovering addict, Roger asks Ivan (in several scenes) if he wants a drink.
A young guy mocks Roger when the latter is perturbed about his music being changed. The guy then shoves Roger down to the floor.
While high, Roger treats Ivan badly, asking if he wants drugs knowing he's a former addict and belittling him for wanting to get back together with his wife.
One girl refers to another (who's not present) as "What a slut."

FRIGHTENING SCENES: Roger tries to swim across the pool and struggles mightily just to get to the other side (no one else is there to help him if needed).
The Greenbergs' dog become lethargic and is then noted as being sick. Those who've lost or nearly lost a pet might find that and the dog having to go from a regular vet to a specialist as unsettling, but the dog ends up okay.

GUNS/WEAPONS: None.

IMITATIVE BEHAVIOR: Phrases: "F*cking nightmare," "You had to f*ck it up," "What the f*ck /is going on/do you think I'm doing right now?" "F*ck you," "You're such a f*cking asshole," "F*ck it," "I don't want to f*cking do this anymore," "F*ck off," "F*ck or fight," "How the f*ck do you know?" "You were f*cked up all of the time," "Oh f*ck," "Open the f*cking door," "Sh*ts and giggles," "Complete bullsh*t," "I'm tired of this sh*t," "Sh*tty," "Holy sh*t," "You're sh*tting me," "What a d*ck," "What about your grandma's p*ssy?" "A mental patient just went down on you," "She's so ultra-sexy and hot up there," "Sit on my d*ck, asshole," "D*ck-head," "Slutty," "Sucks," "Pissed off," "What the hell does that mean?" "Retarded," "We were total freaks," "He's an asshole," "What a pain in the ass," "Are you pulling a Gatsby?" "My freak out," "That is totally insane," "I'm freaked out by you kids" and "Really piss me off."
Florence has casual sex with people she barely knows.
Roger routinely writes complaint letters to any number of companies.
Roger downs one of his prescription pills with a drink.
A miscellaneous person has a tattoo.

JUMP SCENES: Partygoers stand and stare at a dead animal floating in a pool. As Roger leans over to look closer, one young woman suddenly pushes him forward, but catches him (all as a joke).

MUSIC (SCARY/TENSE): None.

MUSIC (INAPPROPRIATE): None.

PROFANITY: At least 41 "f" words (3 used sexually), 17 "s" words, 5 slang terms using male genitals ("d*ck"), 1 using female ones ("p*ssy"), 9 asses (7 used with "hole"), 1 crap, 1 hell, 4 uses of "Jesus," 3 of "Oh my God," 2 of "God" and 1 use of "Oh God."

SEX/NUDITY: Florence makes out with a guy she just met at a club, and then tells Gina she won't be leaving with her. As Florence and the guy go back to his place, she seems hesitant, saying she just got out of a long-term relationship. The man replies that this isn't a relationship, and we next see them in bed, post sex (we see both bare backs, he in front of her). She then sits up to get dressed and is seen from the side, fully nude, on the bed (we see bare breasts before she puts her bra on, as well as the side of her bare butt).
We see some neighbors using the Greenbergs' pool (the man in just standard trunks, while we see the back of her bikini top).
Roger strips down to try to swim in the pool, but we don't know if he does so in his underwear or is fully nude.
A small classic style figurine in the Greenberg home shows bare breasts.
A man at a party jokingly asks another, "What about your grandma's p*ssy?"
Moments after sharing a beer from the same bottle, Roger and Florence passionately kiss, move over to her bed, and he lifts up the back of her shirt. She comments on wearing an ugly bra and he jokes about it being like an ace bandage. As he then lifts up her skirt and pulls down her panties, she lies back and we see her bare breasts as he performs oral sex on her (we don't see the actual contact, but do see his head right there). He then stops and they don't have intercourse, with her saying she just got out of a relationship and doesn't want to go from having sex to having sex to having sex. He realizes that means a third guy (the one listed above) and asks how the sex was, and she replies it was pretty awkward.
About the above oral sex encounter, Gina tells Florence (over the phone), "A mental patient just went down on you."
About Florence singing up on stage in a bar, Gina comments to Roger that Florence is "ultra sexy and hot up there."
Roger jokingly comments to Ivan that it's too bad neither of them is the type to "go whoring."
Roger gets mad at (and cusses out) Ivan for arranging for the waitstaff at a restaurant to come over and sing happy birthday to him. As he storms out, he yells at Ivan, "Sit on my d*ck, asshole." Later, Florence jokes to Roger, "You told Ivan to sit on your d*ck."
Florence tells Roger a story when she and her friend pretended they were "slutty girls" when they weren't, met some guys, and then did a striptease for them, including showing their breasts. Roger gets mad about that and leaves.
Roger jokes with Beth that they used to joke about the extra letter S in a mattress name was for "sex."
We see Ivan shirtless at a pool party.
We see a close-up of Florence's cleavage as she bends over (representing Roger's point of view).
Roger and Florence have missionary position sex on a sofa. Her legs are up high, he's in a dress shirt (we see his bare butt), and she's in a dress that's pushed up. The scene is realistic rather than Hollywood-ized, and there's thrusting and related sounds.
Roger throws out the thought that Florence acts the way she does due to being sexually molested by her father (she denies that).
Roger asks Florence, "You never f*cked that guy who plays guitar with you?" and she replies no.
Florence learns she's pregnant and figures out it must be by her ex due to the timing and the fact that Roger used a condom.
We see Roger's young adult niece in a top and bikini bottom.
At a party with much younger people, Roger asks them aren't they just "f*cking" on the Internet, with one saying it's more art than porn.
Roger then uses the term "f*ck or fight" to some young women at the party.
One girl refers to another (who's not present) as "What a slut."

SMOKING: Florence smokes once, while a few miscellaneous characters do the same.

TENSE FAMILY SCENES: We hear that Ivan is in a trial separation from his wife and that they have an 8-year-old son.
We hear that Beth and her husband are getting a divorce (and they have kids).
We see a photo of Florence as a child and she states that was one of the rare times she was happy with her dad.
There's mention of Roger's mom being dead (as he talks on the phone with his brother) and Roger states their mom said he didn't need to visit, with the brother chiming in that yes, but she's now dead.
Roger throws out the thought that Florence acts the way she does due to being sexually molested by her father (she denies that).

TOPICS TO TALK ABOUT: People who refuse to (or can't) grow up.
Casual sex.
We hear that Roger is recently out of a mental hospital.
Addiction.
Roger routinely writes complaint letters to any number of companies.
After Ivan says that youth is wasted on the young, Roger states he believes that life is wasted on people.
Roger says his therapist said he (Roger) can't live in the present due to never having lived in the past.
Roger throws out the thought that Florence acts the way she does due to being sexually molested by her father (she denies that).
After learning she's pregnant, Florence has an abortion via a D&C.
The comment that "hurt people hurt people."

VIOLENCE: A young guy mocks Roger when the latter is perturbed about his music being changed. The guy then shoves Roger down to the floor.

Reviewed March 12, 2010 / Posted March 26, 2010

Other new and recent reviews include:

Privacy Statement and Terms of Use and Disclaimer
By entering this site you acknowledge to having read and agreed to the above conditions.