Greenberg

May 2.

Funny and sweet and touching and sad and honest. "Greenberg" is my first favorite movie of 2010. Even though people were walking out of the theater and one woman loudly declared, "I hate this movie," I loved it.

The story of Roger Greenberg played by Ben Stiller, was real and raw. Greenberg just got out of a mental institution and is watching his brother's house in L.A. for six weeks. He meets with old friends and spends time with his brother's, much younger, assistant, Florence, played perfectly by Greta Gerwig.

The conversations and relationships are flawed. They don't run smoothly and are not choreographed for the screen. The story is written and directed by Noah Baumbach, who uses these techniques often. And, Jennifer Jason Leigh, who also has a small roll as Greenberg's ex-girlfriend, is a co-writer of the film.

Sometimes movies about reevaluating life lay the lessons on too thick. They try to make everyone right at the end of two hours and it feels fake and empty. "Greenberg" is not like that. It doesn't seem to care how the viewer feels. The characters are true to who they are, even if that makes us uncomfortable. There are so many lines and scenes that explain life exactly how it is, for good or for bad. The movie also has one of my favorite endings ever.

"Greenberg" is unresolved and perfect.