MOVIE REVIEW - Everything Must Go

In limited release, Everything Must Go, is a must see.

Brace yourself, it stars Will Ferrell. No kidding. Also with the little used Rebbecca Hall, and Laura Dern, EMG is a wonderful little movie.

EMG is the story of Nick, (Ferrell). He is a 45 year old alcoholic that in one single day, gets fired and comes home to find his wife has thrown him out, and tossed all his stuff on the front yard. Nick has tried for a few years to quit drinking, but can't. And this really sends him over the edge. So with nothing at all, he decides to live on his front yard with his stuff. The cops give him 5 days to sell everything and make other arrangements.

Nick befriends his new neighbor, (Hall) who is a pregnant young wife, who also has a story to tell, as her husband has yet to join her as he lives out of state. Nick, desperate for some form of attention even looks up and old high school friend, Delilah (Dern) and shows up at her home unannounced after 25 years. Nick is just a mess, and so is seemingly everyone around him. Will he find the strength to overcome this mid life crisis, or will this be the hump he can't get over?

It's an honest look, that we all have some problems. Do we face them, or do we deny they exist? And if we except them, what are we then to do with this new realization? This movie asks this and 20 other questions worth asking.

EMG is splendidly done, as are most small Indy movies like this. You have never seen this story before, and I'm a story guy. Farrell is superb as the quirky, and mostly intoxicated Nick. Should be noted, this is real acting here. This is not a typical Will Ferrell flick. This is a dark comedy at best, and a drama at its core. Don't go if you're not willing to see him as you have never seen him before. There is no running around in his underwear, and no silly screaming scenes that he has built an empire on.

Hall is tender, sensitive, and perfectly cast as the enigmatic but lovely neighbor. I wish we would see her more at the movies. I love her realness. Dern is sharp in her one scene that although is quick, is essential to our story. This movie has a story to tell, tells it and makes a point. It is thought provoking and makes you think.

Everything Must Go, is flat out good. A new chapter for Farrell that he handled very well, Skillfully done, and wonderfully told. Way off the beaten path. A real movie goers must see.