Best movie of this year hands down!

The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

If you like art exhibitions with a chair as the main attraction, you may like this movie, and fins how it talks about the greatness of humanity as well ofits weirdness or whatever. Otherwise itay seem like me going to do shopping for two hours... Nothing happens.

I bought the Blue Ray release of this movie without really reading the notes. I only bought it because Ben STill was in it. It was what I would call, "Okay'. It's not a comedy, although it does a couple of funny moments, and it's not a romantic type film even though there are people getting together. They get together more out of some kind of loneliness rather than interest in each other. Everyone in is awkward in this film. I don't think there is one conversation were people seem to like each other. Even when he's in the car with the two girls and thinking of going to Australia, it's awkward. The two girls never really talk to him, they SAY something, then laugh with each other. The movie should have been titled 'Wow, this is awkward.' As for the plot, there really isn't one. There's kind of a story but it never goes anywhere. Of course there are a few interesting scenes. Most noticeably where Greta Gerwig's character has to be topless. And you know it's one of these typical movies where this happens only because the director / producer had to write it in so they could see the actress topless. And yes, that does happen all the time under the guise of 'the scene' or 'the character'. But based on Gerwig's appearance in the scene in her apartment, some ice cubes were strategically placed prior to shooting just for titillation reasons. But that's Hollywood for ya! All in all I'm glad I watched it, as I appreciate all movies, but won't see it again.

Florence Marr (Greta Gerwig) is the Greenberg family nanny in L.A. The family goes on a trip while the brother Roger Greenberg (Ben Stiller) drops by to housesit. She's young trying to find her way. He's a New Yorker misanthrope just out of an insane asylum. He doesn't drive and writes complaint letters. His friend Ivan Schrank (Rhys Ifans) pushes him to go to Eric Beller (Mark Duplass)'s barbecue where he runs into ex-girlfriend Beth (Jennifer Jason Leigh) with her kids. Roger, Eric and Ivan were once in a band but Roger refused to sign a recording deal. Florence and Roger have an on-and-off relationship.Ben Stiller is going too dark. It's a matter of slight miscalibration. This could be a great indie rom-com but I can't find any likability to Roger. His dialog could have some sharp sarcastic jokes to take off the edge. I need to laugh with him but his dark depressed nature keeps getting into the way. Getting angry over his birthday is probably the only laughable moment although saying Florence's emotional story is pointless gets a small chuckle. His anger needs to have more comedy as an outlet and to balance his dark side. It has some good moments but it could have been better.

For most recent films, nothing is close to real life. Most of the actors and actresses are not real people. It's all fiction, but movies should be something one can relate to. That is what Greenberg is. First of all, and I know I certainly do, people should have a weakness for actresses like Greta Gerwig. She is great looking, but in the same sense as a real human being, not like most actresses are presented to be. She represents innocence, she is naive. She is Florence Marr, the personal assistant to Phillip Greenberg. When Phillip, his wife and two children go on vacation to Vietnam, his brother, roger comes to sty in the house and make a dog house. Florence seems to like his, and he likes her too, except when he is with her he drives her away. Roger Greenberg is the guy who writes letters of complaint to every company who has ever slightly bothered hi, he does not drive, he tried to kill himself and was just let out of a psych ward. You know, that kind of brother. He was in a band that almost made it big, and he stays in contact with his co- songwriter (Rhys Ifans)who wants to talk to Roger, and help him. But our neurotic (anti)hero rejects him as he does with Florence, and just about everyone else. Greenberg is a character study. Ben Stiller portrays Roger as the terrible guy women tell stories of. Stiller is intriguing; for we can't stand Greenberg but we care about him. He refuses whats good for him until it could be too late. When he gets close to a little bit of happiness, she destroys it to allow himself to stay miserable and unique. Florence wants the best for him, but tires because its hard to be around someone like Roger. The film is fascinating. It delivers great performances that mimic real life. This is why most people will not like the film. Don't take it as a romance movie or a comedy, see it as the life of a troubled person.