Everything Must Go (2011)

Pretty Good

Memorable, crazy movie

Instead, you get a movie that's enjoyable enough, but leaves you feeling like it could have been much, much more.

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

This is such an underrated film. First and foremost, Will Ferrell. I barely recognized the man! Such an impressive performance of a struggling alcoholic in the throes of the addiction. It was subtle in such a way that really made viewers see how difficult it can be, but not making it completely depressing. Supporting performances by Laura Dern, Rebecca Hall, Michael Peña, & young Christopher Wallace were likewise stellar. Several heartfelt moments that were surprisingly moving. I admit to feeling tears a couple times. I love watching things that turn out far better than expected! And I have a newfound respect for Will Ferrell.

Some characters seemed a little "Hollywood" to me, but some dark comedy moments and unexpected alcoholic truths made the movie definitely worth watching. Also, while Will Ferrel did a respectable job with the role, an actor whose specialty is finely-nuanced expression, versus Ferrell's range of exaggeration, may have been better suited.

OK, maybe not an Oscar, but definitely some kind of recognition for the performance he gave in this movie. I'll be honest, when I chose this off my streaming service, I was a little hesitant. After all, Ferrell is known for his raucous humor (which I enjoy), but having seen previous reviews for this film - I knew it wasn't "Anchor Man" material. I was more than pleasantly surprised. Depth, great acting (by most, if not all of the cast), impeccably well placed music - and a story that most everyone can relate to.This is well worth the 90 mins or so if you have it. Proving once again that comedians can, and do, provide some of the most incredible dramatic performances on film (e.g. Robin Williams, "Good Will Hunting").

When people make bleak comedies about alcoholics it tends to be labelled as a tragedy.Everything Must Go starts out with Nick Halsey (Will Ferrell) getting fired in his job as a salesman and then when he gets home he finds his belongings on the lawn, his wife has changed the locks, taken his savings and kicked him out.We find out that Halsey is an alcoholic, has temper issues and decides to live on the lawn with his belongings. His sponsor a police officer has bought him some time so he can have a garage sale. He gets a local black kid to help him out and a newly arrived neighbour (Rebecca Hall) is the only other person who gives him some time. We never do get to see his wife throughout the film.The film is a slow burn as Halsey tries to deal with his situation At first he is angry, frustrated, confused and drunk. We sympathise with his predicament as his wife has left him homeless and penniless.Over time we get to know a little about Halsey and his demons, maybe we can understand the chaotic life he led and the repercussions that caused. Maybe that is the reason why his neighbours could not care less about him.Will Ferrell is restrained as Halsey but maybe too restrained unless when he gets angry because he wants booze. Maybe Rebecca Hall and the kid are symbolisms showing Halsey as a kid or Halsey's wife (as Hall's character is also married to a salesman who is yet to join her.)We know Halsey was once a nice decent guy when he meets up with Laura Dern an high school friend he has not seen for years. Over time he realises he needs to deal with his problems, his alcoholism. He bonds with the kid, he gets rid of all his things in the yard sale and he finds out that he could had got his job back if he had not burst his superior's tyre after he got fired. He even gathers that his sponsor has not been honest with him.As a comedy it does not work, its not funny and too bleak. The title of the movie implies it is making statement of consumerism but it is not even that. Its about a breakdown of one man's life and the few days after in suburban America where the American dreams hit the skids.The film has flaws, no one cares much for him, we are unsure where he goes for his toilet break as he cannot get in the house. I am unclear unless he gets blind drunk how he manages to sleep so well at night. In some ways the film does not go anywhere at all. No optimistic resolutions here it just kinds of peters out. Ferrell is OK, less of his silliness in this but I think he is not stretched as an actor.