The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected)
Dir: Noah Baumbach
2017
****
The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected) is the story of three dysfunctional siblings who live in the shadow of their successful father. It’s written and directed by Noah Baumbach and stars Dustin Hoffman, Adam Sandler and Ben Stiller and sounds like the sort of film you’ve seen a hundred times before. Indeed, Dustin Hoffman has played Adam Sandler and Ben Stiller’s father before in separate movies, Dustin Hoffman has been romantically linked to Emma Thompson before (she plays his wife) and Adam Sandler and Ben Stiller have played dysfunctional people with dysfunctional siblings before – many times. This is a film whereby you know exactly what to expect, however, I would argue that it is the best of the bunch. Sure it’s familiar and somewhat formulaic, but there are certain elements that really make it stand out and make it special. Firstly, the performances are brilliant. Baumback has clearly written the characters with each actor in mind, he’s given them great roles, ones that really play to their individual strengths. Secondly, the structure is really quite fresh. The film is separated into chapters which isn’t a new thing, but the way it is edited, extending certain unexpected scenes and cutting others abruptly, gives the film a certain edge over its contemporaries. Dustin Hoffman and Ben Stiller are both on great form but Adam Sandler has never been better (and I include Punch-Drunk Love in that statement). I’m generally not a Sandler fan, it is frustrating seeing his unfunny comedies when he is clearly a good actor and capable of so much more. The real unsung performances however are from Emma Thompson and Elizabeth Marvel. Thompson plays Hoffman’s alcoholic fourth wife perfectly, and Marvel, who stated that she based her performance on John Cazale’s performance as Fredo Corleone in the Godfather films (which I can totally see), is tremendous as Sandler and Stiller’s sister. Hoffman plays Harold Meyerowitz, a successful but forgotten artist, who has become set in his ways, oblivious (maybe subconsciously in denial) that his wife is still an alcoholic, although she proclaims otherwise, and that his three children have deep-rooted social issues stemming from their unorthodox upbringing. Danny (Sandler) and Jean (Marvel) were brought up with little parenting and although they resent their father, they still feel warmth for him. Their half-brother Matthew (Stiller) was brought up by his mother but always had his fathers full attention and was the child he expected the most from. Matthew fled the nest as soon as he could and moved to LA. When Danny splits from his wife, he decides to move in temporarily with his father so that he can be close to his daughter who has just started University in the City. He spends time with his father, his sister and eventually Matthew who is in town on business. When Harold becomes ill during a retrospective show of his work the siblings reconnect and explore their past lives. It is an incredibly rewarding comedy-drama that works due to the great writing and great performances. During the 2017 Cannes Film Festival Sandler and Stiller stated in an interview that playing brothers in the film was one of the best experiences of their careers, as it allowed them to grow closer as friends and this is quite clear in the film. Baumbach is a great writer and as great director but more than that he is a great composer. It is everyone on peak form, a very simple tale but told exceptionally well.