Greenberg (2010)

Years ago, acclaimed writer and director Noah Baumbach made Greenberg (2010) with his then-wife Jennifer Jason Leigh and eventual wife Greta Gerwig. Yet the more auspicious relationship in this flick is between the filmmaker and the movie’s star Ben Stiller. Following Greenberg, the two would perfect their collaboration with While We’re Young (2014) and The Meyerowitz Stories (2017). As for the film at hand, it managed to make the National Board of Review’s Top 10 list for the year even though it was a massive flop at the box office. The R rated flick follows Roger Greenberg (Stiller). The lonely loser moved to New York City years ago but has since returned home to Hollywood Hills in an effort to sort his aimless life out. As such, Roger house-sits for his brother Phillip (Chris Messina) and starts a relationship with his brother’s assistant Florence Marr (Gerwig). When the two hump on the couch, Mr. Stiller reveals his rump. How cheeky! While the two bond over Phillip’s German Shepherd Mahler and their fragile health issues, we get to meet Eric Beller (Mark Duplass), Beth (Leigh), Muriel (Juno Temple), Rich (Dave Franco), Sara (Brie Larson), and Ivan Schrank (Rhys Ifans). As the latter actor previously proved in Notting Hill (1999), Rancid Aluminium (2000), Hotel and Human Nature (2001), he’s not afraid to shed his threads to flash his flesh for the camera lens. And in this pic, Mr. Ifans touts his alabaster chest by the pool. Maybe that’s why Mr. Man needs a towel!