Writer/director Noah Baumbach was once a frequent collaborator of the great Wes Anderson, and his new dramatic comedy The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected), truly stands shoulder to shoulder with his work with Anderson on The Life Aquatic and his own brilliant The Squid and the Whale.
Outstanding off the wall acting
It’s safe to say in recent years the critical stock of Adam Sandler has rapidly declined, especially since his brilliant turn in Punch-Drunk Love. However it’s in The Meyerowitz Stories that as the limping, hilarious, introverted, angry yet caring family man Danny Meyerowitz that Sandler has propelled himself back into world of critical acclaim, and its easy to see why. Certainly worthy of an Oscar nomination, most likely in the Best Supporting Actor category, Sandler portrays a fantastically interesting character, and his pained, moving take on a man who sees himself as a failure is both wonderfully comedic and understatedly powerful. Such a brilliant career move from a clearly huge talent and the absolute highlight of Baumbach’s superb script.
Ben Stiller equally plays his best role for a while as the uppity businessman Matthew Meyerowitz, his father’s favourite child who initially whilst appearing to be a bit of a douchebag is clearly conflicted and complex, all whilst Stiller brings his classic comedic talents to the character. Dustin Hoffman brings his obscene talent and dry humour to the role of artist and pretty awful father Harold Meyerowitz, creating a lot of laughs whilst towing the line between being likeable and hated. Great support by Elizabeth Marvel as the token family weirdo/sister Jean and a hilarious turn as the permanently pissed stepmother Maureen by Emma Thompson; plus a wonderful cameo by Adam Driver round off an ensemble of cracking performances with Sandler’s career best at the very heart.
A laugh out loud cracker of a script
Apart from some nifty editing and a fitting soundtrack, there’s not a great deal to shout about technically, which is why Baumbach’s script is so important in making The Meyerowitz Stories an intelligent piece of cinema. The story follows each Meyerowitz differently, with the heart of the story being Harold’s hospitalisation which brings the three siblings truly together, yet Baumbach gives each of them their own unique traits and backgrounds that they’re so hilariously disparate despite being family.
Baumbach has written each part brilliantly; and its especially Sandler who delivers his part the best, with his sudden angry and inappropriate outbursts and his clear awkwardness creating several laugh out loud moments throughout the film. Perhaps the pinnacle of the humour in this script is Danny’s daughter Eliza (Grace Van Patten), who makes ridiculously obscene student films that are both painful and hilarious, and the cringeworthy nature of them only make this film even funnier. It’s a truly original and hilarious script that should undoubtedly garner Baumbach his second Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay, supported by well written characters and a thoughtful story.
The Verdict
As previously mentioned there’s not a huge amount of technical prowess about this film so it can never be classed as perfect, but a wonderful script and equally wonderful performances have made The Meyerowitz Stories a compelling and astoundingly funny picture. Sandler could easily be the front runner for Best Supporting Actor and Baumbach should deservedly get his own screenwriting nomination, so expect this film to be an outsider in this year’s upcoming awards season.
Rating: 8/10
Words by Elliott Jones