Greenberg

On balance, I found my feelings for Greenberg running hot and cold, as if I was being been infected by the protagonist's jagged mood swings. A good sign, I guess. But that's the thing about a misanthropic movie...

The indignities of modern life that Greenberg can't bear are peculiarly American. And so is this thoughtful and hilarious film, though some might feel its arty moments and lack of action seem more European.

Greenberg is a fantastically complex part to play, but Stiller's performance is superbly nuanced, convincing and brave.

This is a sunny, prosperous movie, full of bright light and swimming pools, casual hospitality and people going out to dinner; but its problems are not external villains. It's the internal demons which menace.

Thanks to writer-director Noah Baumbach's sharply witty dialogue and poignant performances from Stiller and Gerwig, you can't help but root for these lost souls to find their happy ending.