And What Do They Think In Zion?

Keep Greta, lose Ben:

"Greenberg" is supposed to be Ben Stiller's "breakout" role. Much like "The Truman Show" (1998) was for Jim Carrey and "Funny People," "Punch-Drunk Love" and "Reign Over Me" were all supposed to be for his fellow comic actor Adam Sandler.

...Yet it's not Stiller's performance — as competent as it may be — that's the interesting, watchable part of this otherwise uninteresting comedy-drama. It's the performance given by one of his co-stars, the relatively unheralded Greta Gerwig.

About halfway through you may find yourself wishing the camera would simply follow her and leave Stiller and the rest of the movie behind.

...At times, you'd swear the movie was improvised — especially judging by the clumsy, contrived and slapped-together third act.

As bad as the finale is, things would be completely unwatchable if not for the presence of indie actress Gerwig ("Baghead"). As Florence, she's sweet and sympathetic.