Nina Garin

(2012-04-26 17:49:34)

The world of "Everything Must Go" isn't the easiest one to visit, but when it comes to the work of Ferrell, it's perhaps the most relatable one.

(2012-04-26 09:15:55)

It's An Art Movie! Huck The Faters!

Everything Must Go is an art movie. Maybe that wasn't the director'sintention but that's how I'll classify it.I give it 3 stars out of 4.Just a very simple, and ultimately touching, story about a man who'slife is falling apart and it is purely his own fault.It is nice to see Will Ferrell ACT and not play his normal over the toppersona in comedies.This is a QUIET movie. Just a mellow ride with some humor, some drama,a pleasant setting, good cinematography and production values andinteresting characters. One of the better films I've seen this year! Imight even be tempted to give it 3 and 1/2 stars! It is like hangingout in a museum for the day or a quiet afternoon enjoying a good bottleof wine. Not something you'd want to do everyday but for an afternoonit is a nice diversion from the mad, mad, crazy world we live in.And no, it is NOT a guilty pleasure. It is a good film but not foreveryone. Somehow I think this might have worked better as a UK orFrench film.I love a slam bang movie like Kick-Ass or Inglourious Basterds orOldboy as much as the next cat. But this isn't that movie.Like I said, it is a quiet art movie. Like The Music of Chance starringJames Spader from back in the 90s.Writer-director Dan Rush did a very good job. Especially since this ishis FIRST film and first Internet Movie Database credit! It is almostlike something Hal Hartley might have done but less quirky.

FlashCallahan

(2012-04-23 02:16:12)

You need to put up some curtains......

On the day he's fired from his job in Phoenix, for falling off thewagon and waking up in the hotel room of an associate who files a suitfor harassment, Nicholas Halsey comes home to find his stuff on thefront lawn, the locks changed, and a farewell note from his wife.With his bank account frozen, his credit cards and phone cancelled, andhis company car gone, he takes up residence on the lawn.A cop who's his AA sponsor tells him he can sit there for five days asif it's a garage sale, then he'll face arrest.With help from a chubby kid on a bicycle, a pregnant neighbour, and anold high school acquaintance, Nick goes on a beer-soaked odyssey, fromhis front-yard easy chair...Not since stranger than fiction, has Ferrell been this brilliant. Thisproves that the man can act, without acting stupid, but one does hopehe doesn't go all Jim Carrey, because I like the other Will, I reallydo.His character is really hard to root for though, as he has all thiscoming to him, and no matter what he does in the film, it still nags inthe ack of his head 'you really have no one else to blame'.The film doesn't really focus on alcoholism, but the connotations arerife throughout. He drinks through the majority of the film, andplotwise, drinking has destroyed him, but the narrative doesn't reallyfocus on that, it focuses on him and his thoughts.It's beautifully made though, one of those lovely films that comesaround once in a while from out of nowhere and really grabs you.the performances are first rate and the locations beautiful.But just as you think that things are going his way a little, they justget worse, and he hits another wall. This man gets no reprievethroughout the film, and at times it does make you feel a little down,but makes you thankful for what you have got.An easy film to watch, with a lovely message.

scotty_cable

(2012-04-22 17:37:52)

Everything Must Go is a well-made movie, but heavier than I was seeking

I really enjoyed Stranger than Fiction and, since I had heard WillFerrell's performance in that movie compared favorably to the one inEverything Must Go, was excited to see EMG. I walked away after seeingEMG a little unsure of whether I truly enjoyed the movie or just merelyappreciated the quality of the director's vision and execution.Everything Must Go is the story of Nick Halsey (Ferrell), a strugglingalcoholic who, in the first 10 minutes of the movie, has been laid offrom his job and kicked out of his house by his wife, all within thesame day. The rest of the movie looks at Halsey's attempt to manage thetension between wanting what he once had and trying to pursue a lifethat he desires, even though he isn't entirely sure of what that lookslike. I will start by saying I thought the acting of everyone involved,especially Will Ferrell and Christopher Jordan Wallace, was superb anda highlight of the movie. I thought the music and visuals addedsignificantly to the feel of the movie, especially how so much of themovie occurred in the front yard with the records of his fatheroccasionally playing in the background. Now I knew to expect a storythat was not a happy-go-lucky comedy (is there one about an alcoholicstruggling with sobriety), but was hoping for some morelightheartedness. I did particularly enjoy watching the relationshipbetween Nick Halsey and Wallace's "Kenny Loftus", and thought that thefilmmakers did a good job pairing the two actors up. A couple of thingswith which I walked away: first, I found it interesting how thedirector decided to show Halsey's eventual growth in the way that helet go of certain things, and to whom he left them. Afterwards, afriend of mine and I discussed how difficult these acts would havebeen, but thought it appropriate for someone trying to move beyond sucha serious issue as alcoholism. I also found it interesting that such apivotal character, like Halsey's wife, has no screen time at all, savefor her voice in one scene. It is as if the filmmakers want us to seehow much damage one person has managed to do by simply stepping out ofanother's life. Overall, I do believe that the movie was well made,with an interesting story and fantastic acting, but the mood of thefilm was a little heavier than what I was looking for.

Michael O'Sullivan

(2012-04-15 21:40:22)

Surprisingly, Ferrell underplays it nicely, neither milking Nick's misfortunes for laughs nor asking for our pity.

Bill Goodykoontz

(2012-04-15 12:23:56)

It's a genuinely unexpected performance, one of those things that you never would have predicted, but once you see it you realize it's perfect.

Thelma Adams

(2012-04-12 00:42:07)

Though the actor is famous for his outrageous roles, he delves deep into this troubled character and nails the quieter moments.

Nick Deigman

(2012-04-11 14:57:33)

This is not a film that takes itself too seriously, but it is also not a 'comedy' in the strictest sense.

Rich Cline

(2012-04-09 22:07:55)

A nicely observed film with a terrific performance by Ferrell.

meeza

(2012-04-09 07:00:24)

Everything was not great, but some things were, most notably Ferrell's excellent performance!

As I embark to write my film review on the Will Ferrell starring drama(yes, drama) "Everything Must Go", I am hopeful that you will tolerateit after reading it, and not think that "everything must go". But I dowarn you that most everything must show puns for me, so you have beenwarned. Anyways, "Everything Must Go" is an intended drama with a fewcomedic moments starring Ferrell as Nick Halsey, an Arizonian alcoholicwho lives in front of his lawn with all his personal belongings; due tothe fact that his exasperated wife cannot tolerate the Nick no more soshe placed all his belongings on the lawn and also changed all thelocks to their home. Nick is not too happy upon seeing all hisbelongings on his lawn, so in his best Clint Eastwood impression with ashotgun, he angrily says "get off my lawn" to his stuff. OK, thatdidn't happen. And also, back to reality. To add fuel to the fire, Nickalso gets the ax in his employment where he served as vice president.He then gets in alcoholic slacker mode and sits in a reclining chair onhis lawn making Dennis Hopper's villainous character in "Blue Velvet"proud by having a plethora of Pabst Blue Ribbon beers on a daily basis.Nick's detective friend Frank Garcia informs Nick that he must vacatethe lawn premises immediately unless his lawn experience is for theintention of a yard sale. That is when Kenny, an African-American boy,gets in the picture. Nick befriends Kenny and the young boy starts towork for Nick by helping to sell some of Nick's stuff in the yard sale.At first Nick is hesitant that "everything must go" but then… well Idon't want to give it away because I don't want you to think that I amrevealing everything that must go for you to know what happens in themovie. Nick also befriends a pretty female pregnant neighbor calledSamantha, that makes a big impact on Nick's life and visa-versa; eventhough they have an "on and off" friendly relationship. First timeWriter-Director Dan Rush was maybe in a bit of a rush to direct thepicture by not revealing more information on the characters of thepicture. I wanted more on their past (especially Nick) to see what ledthem to their present situations. And I also felt that there shouldhave been more of an emphasis on Nick's alcoholic rehab process;alcoholics don't instantly get sober from one moment to another. Now Imust commend Rush for an authentic screenplay, and I loved the factthat Nick's wife was never seen in the movie. Ferrell was fantastic asNick; once again proving that he has acting chops in the dramaticlandscape as in the comedic one. Like a good neighbor, Rebecca Hall wasthere with a fine performance as Samantha. And Notorious B.I.G. son'sChristopher Jordan Wallace turned out a non-showy but effectivelysubtle performance as young Kenny. There were a few things of"Everything Must Go" that could have been better and caused a lawn Imean a yawn from time to time; but mostly due to Ferrell's strong work,I say that you should (not must) go see this movie. *** Average

Marshall Fine

(2012-04-09 13:11:41)

Will Ferrell shows that he could have a career beyond stupid comedy..It's nice to see Ferrell stretching himself. Time for more of that career yoga, Will.

Susan Granger

(2012-04-09 07:10:40)

This low-key dramedy paints a cinematic portrait of self-destruction with, perhaps, a hopeful glimmer of redemption.

tradeczar

(2012-04-07 03:18:40)

Could Have Been So Much More

Having told friends over the past couple of years that I wouldn't becaught dead paying to see a Will Ferrell movie, I was surprised to findmyself buying a ticket to "Everything Must Go". But I have frequentlybeen impressed in the past by comics who attempt serious roles --including Jerry Lewis, Robin Williams and Jim Carrey -- so afterhearing a positive review from a local critic, I thought I would giveFerrell a chance to show me something.I regret to say that I am still waiting. This was a movie that simplybegged for character development -- most of all from the maincharacter, Nick Halsey, but also from the visitors to the yard salewhich is the setting for nearly the entire movie. But the opportunitywas squandered in scene after scene, and with the exception of thetypical outstanding work of Rebecca Hall as Halsey's neighbor, I wasleft wondering "Who were those people?" Most disappointing of all, WillFerrell's performance as a very-non-recovering alcoholic left hischaracter as wooden, uninteresting and - most importantly --unappealing. I know, alcoholism is not pretty. But then, why do I wantto watch it?I have often heard that many of the top comics suffer from aninsecurity that perhaps helps them play serious roles. I got thefeeling after seeing "Everything Must Go" that Will Ferrell does notsuffer from such insecurities and that his self-assurance as a comicmay make if more difficult from him to excel in a serious role. Perhapsits like a rich guy trying to sing the Blues; there's just somethinglacking.

Cole Smithey

(2012-04-06 11:23:52)

Dan Rush has created a vacant character that represents everything wrong with America in 2011.

TxMike

(2012-04-05 07:03:25)

Not really a comedy, but lots of funny moments in a serious Will Ferrell role.

"Everything Must Go". We know from the movie's trailer that the maincharacter ends up with all his possessions on the lawn of his home. Thetitle has a meaning in one respect, once he decides to get rid ofthings in a "yard sale." But it has another, more insightful, meaning.He is stuck in a bad rut in life, and his only hope to get out of it isto shed all personal baggage, all those bad old habits have to go.I will admit I am not a big Will Ferrell fan, I find much of his humorto be unfunny. But here I like him, as marketing VP Nick Halsey. ButNick has a very bad day to start the movie. He is called in to beinformed that he is being fired, and when he gets home he finds hiswife has put all his stuff on the front lawn, has frozen theiraccounts, has changed the locks, and won't answer the door. In fact,she may not even be home.Nick has a basically good heart, but he is an alcoholic. His has beeninvolved with AA, but occasionally falls off the wagon, very hard. Hedoesn't even remember what happened that night one of the femaleemployees accused him of something bad.Nick forms an unlikely friendship with a young boy riding around theneighborhood. Teaches him the art of selling and customer satisfactionand he and Nick eventually sell all his stuff.Not what I expected, but a pretty good movie. Not great, but prettygood.

Richard_vmt

(2012-04-04 22:38:57)

Ironic Masterpiece.

Will Ferrell has a very cozy place within the suburban middle-class.His characters are born into it so they know the ropes. In Everything Must Go this place is challenged with megaton brutalitywhen in the same day he is fired from his job (due to irresponsibledrinking), and simultaneously his ex-wife has won possession of thehouse, removing his possessions to the lawn and leaving for a holiday.What he knows enough to avoid is going with the flow of events--whichwould carry him to transient housing and on into obscurity. Instead,what he does is coincident with a simpler practicality. He stands guardover his material possessions which are now out in public. In this wayhe begins living on the lawn while conducting a lawn sale 24/7. Thisserves not only to sell his goods but perhaps more important an excusefor the police to tolerate his continued presence in the neighborhood.As a taxpayer and former neighbor, he prevails with the police to givehim temporary reprieve to conduct his yard sale. None of the neighborsobject. He has made himself into a Happening in the neighborhood.On the business side of his new life, he has made a street deal with ayoung boy who happens to be interested in everyone else's business, tosupervise the sale. This frees him up to become involved with hisneighbors.Crucial to the outcome is Ferrell's certain knowledge that it is notwhat you know but who you marry. Whether as a brother, a husband orjust a neighbor he has instant acceptability. His casual suburbanattitude carries him along to new love and the answer to his financialwoes. All without leaving his lawn. This is a low-key type of humor dealing with a potentially unfunnysubject. The message is not to validate calamity. Maintains humor andentertainment value throughout.

bruce-129

(2012-04-02 22:01:25)

Minor funny and nice moments - pointless and boring 3/10

Just got back from this movie 6pm at the Aquarius theater in Palo Alto.My first thought was that given the history of this man ... thecharacter Will Ferrell plays, he would not be so nice and sympatheticas Will Ferrell.In real life we would not want to watch this idiot loser for more thanabout 30 seconds unless he was doing something extremelyself-destructive. But since this is a movie and the main character is amovie star we wait and take in all the contrived idiocy that this moviedishes out.There is a reason his wife leaves him most likely, and with animosity,but since its a movie and the main character is a movie star, we sidewith him. Something about this movie kept me thinking about this thewhole way through ... what is the point of this I kept asking, it isnot believable, and there is no real statement or hero, or characterarc.Also the wife locks him out of his own house, and takes all his money.What would drive someone to do that? Turns out he probably deserves itand got it back in spades ... but that actually might be a good storyif they did a movie about something like that. Here they do not exploreany story, just a bunch of stupid gags they can think of to NOT reallyhave a movie but just a big skit. I just wonder why make a movie andthen deliberately avoid saying anything or really making a movie? Is itso the remake in 20 years has something to do?The whole movie is just a fake pointless setup to draw sympathy for apointless character who has no heroic aspects to his being or hisstory.There are a few chuckles, but how is this guy not smart enough to besleeping in his front yard and forget that he has sprinklers in thefront yard. .... not once, but twice.That is how insulting this movie is to the audience.Horrible things happen to him, but because there is no real thread tothe story that goes nowhere other than what can we tweak the audiencewith next that will make them feel something, but not actually say ordo anything to upset anyone or make a real statement about a realperson in reality?There are a few nice movie moments, but way too much stupidity and whatis really understated slapstick comedy.If you see this movie you will not get much, and if you miss this movieyou will not miss much ... so probably makes more sense to miss it.

Chris Hewitt (St. Paul)

(2012-04-02 03:41:24)

It's a low-key movie that sneaks up on you gradually until, by the end, you realize you wouldn't mind spending more time with these characters.

Tom Long

(2012-03-31 16:20:50)

In the end, Everything Must Go is something of a consciously static study in sadness, both well-made and wearying.

Marc Savlov

(2012-03-31 08:21:34)

Everything Must Go isn't a comedy, but it's not entirely a tragedy, either, and it straddles this razor's edge with a deeply nuanced aplomb.