I really enjoyed Stranger than Fiction and, since I had heard Will Ferrell's performance in that movie compared favorably to the one in Everything Must Go, was excited to see EMG. I walked away after seeing EMG a little unsure of whether I truly enjoyed the movie or just merely appreciated the quality of the director's vision and execution. Everything Must Go is the story of Nick Halsey (Ferrell), a struggling alcoholic who, in the first 10 minutes of the movie, has been laid of from his job and kicked out of his house by his wife, all within the same day. The rest of the movie looks at Halsey's attempt to manage the tension between wanting what he once had and trying to pursue a life that he desires, even though he isn't entirely sure of what that looks like. I will start by saying I thought the acting of everyone involved, especially Will Ferrell and Christopher Jordan Wallace, was superb and a highlight of the movie. I thought the music and visuals added significantly to the feel of the movie, especially how so much of the movie occurred in the front yard with the records of his father occasionally playing in the background. Now I knew to expect a story that was not a happy-go-lucky comedy (is there one about an alcoholic struggling with sobriety), but was hoping for some more lightheartedness. I did particularly enjoy watching the relationship between Nick Halsey and Wallace's "Kenny Loftus", and thought that the filmmakers did a good job pairing the two actors up. A couple of things with which I walked away: first, I found it interesting how the director decided to show Halsey's eventual growth in the way that he let go of certain things, and to whom he left them. Afterwards, a friend of mine and I discussed how difficult these acts would have been, but thought it appropriate for someone trying to move beyond such a serious issue as alcoholism. I also found it interesting that such a pivotal character, like Halsey's wife, has no screen time at all, save for her voice in one scene. It is as if the filmmakers want us to see how much damage one person has managed to do by simply stepping out of another's life. Overall, I do believe that the movie was well made, with an interesting story and fantastic acting, but the mood of the film was a little heavier than what I was looking for.
131 Reviews
Will Ferrell has more range than Derek Jeter
ThreeGuysOneMovie5 September 2011
Will Ferrell plays Nick Halsey, who arrives home from being fired from his job to find all his belongings on his front lawn. Nick finds a note on his door from his wife letting him know that she has decided to leave him.
Rapt with despair Nick, who is a recovering alcoholic, starts drinking heavily and camps out on his front with all his possessions. Eventually, Nick befriends one of the kids in his neighborhood, and together they hold a yard sale on his front lawn to sell off everything that he owns.
This is really a story about hitting rock bottom and figuring out a way to start over again. Nick selling off all his belongings becomes cathartic for him as he lets go of his past.
Will Ferrell shows some excellent depth in this film. This was huge departure from his normal roles. He may not have nailed it but I admire the fact that he took so much risk with this role. The movie could worth checking out for that alone.
I really enjoyed Rebecca Hall as the next door neighbor that helps Nick on his path to redemption. She impressed me in Vicky Christina Barcelona and The Town and she does an excellent job on this film as well. I look forward to seeing some of the movies she has coming out next year.
This movie is far from perfect, The pacing is pretty slow, the ending is too abrupt and it lacked some of the emotional punch that it seemed to be striving for. It was an interesting watch however and its worth checking out.
Rapt with despair Nick, who is a recovering alcoholic, starts drinking heavily and camps out on his front with all his possessions. Eventually, Nick befriends one of the kids in his neighborhood, and together they hold a yard sale on his front lawn to sell off everything that he owns.
This is really a story about hitting rock bottom and figuring out a way to start over again. Nick selling off all his belongings becomes cathartic for him as he lets go of his past.
Will Ferrell shows some excellent depth in this film. This was huge departure from his normal roles. He may not have nailed it but I admire the fact that he took so much risk with this role. The movie could worth checking out for that alone.
I really enjoyed Rebecca Hall as the next door neighbor that helps Nick on his path to redemption. She impressed me in Vicky Christina Barcelona and The Town and she does an excellent job on this film as well. I look forward to seeing some of the movies she has coming out next year.
This movie is far from perfect, The pacing is pretty slow, the ending is too abrupt and it lacked some of the emotional punch that it seemed to be striving for. It was an interesting watch however and its worth checking out.
You need to put up some curtains......
FlashCallahan15 November 2011
Warning: Spoilers
On the day he's fired from his job in Phoenix, for falling off the wagon and waking up in the hotel room of an associate who files a suit for harassment, Nicholas Halsey comes home to find his stuff on the front lawn, the locks changed, and a farewell note from his wife.
With his bank account frozen, his credit cards and phone cancelled, and his 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 as if it's a garage sale, then he'll face arrest.
With help from a chubby kid on a bicycle, a pregnant neighbour, and an old high school acquaintance, Nick goes on a beer-soaked odyssey, from his front-yard easy chair...
Not since stranger than fiction, has Ferrell been this brilliant. This proves that the man can act, without acting stupid, but one does hope he doesn't go all Jim Carrey, because I like the other Will, I really do.
His character is really hard to root for though, as he has all this coming to him, and no matter what he does in the film, it still nags in the ack of his head 'you really have no one else to blame'.
The film doesn't really focus on alcoholism, but the connotations are rife throughout. He drinks through the majority of the film, and plotwise, drinking has destroyed him, but the narrative doesn't really focus on that, it focuses on him and his thoughts.
It's beautifully made though, one of those lovely films that comes around 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 just get worse, and he hits another wall. This man gets no reprieve throughout 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.
With his bank account frozen, his credit cards and phone cancelled, and his 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 as if it's a garage sale, then he'll face arrest.
With help from a chubby kid on a bicycle, a pregnant neighbour, and an old high school acquaintance, Nick goes on a beer-soaked odyssey, from his front-yard easy chair...
Not since stranger than fiction, has Ferrell been this brilliant. This proves that the man can act, without acting stupid, but one does hope he doesn't go all Jim Carrey, because I like the other Will, I really do.
His character is really hard to root for though, as he has all this coming to him, and no matter what he does in the film, it still nags in the ack of his head 'you really have no one else to blame'.
The film doesn't really focus on alcoholism, but the connotations are rife throughout. He drinks through the majority of the film, and plotwise, drinking has destroyed him, but the narrative doesn't really focus on that, it focuses on him and his thoughts.
It's beautifully made though, one of those lovely films that comes around 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 just get worse, and he hits another wall. This man gets no reprieve throughout 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.
Will Ferrell Deserves an Oscar
m196528 November 2015
OK, maybe not an Oscar, but definitely some kind of recognition for the performance he gave in this movie. I'll be honest, when I chose this off my streaming service, I was a little hesitant. After all, Ferrell is known for his raucous humor (which I enjoy), but having seen previous reviews for this film - I knew it wasn't "Anchor Man" material. I was more than pleasantly surprised. Depth, great acting (by most, if not all of the cast), impeccably well placed music - and a story that most everyone can relate to.
This is well worth the 90 mins or so if you have it. Proving once again that comedians can, and do, provide some of the most incredible dramatic performances on film (e.g. Robin Williams, "Good Will Hunting").
This is well worth the 90 mins or so if you have it. Proving once again that comedians can, and do, provide some of the most incredible dramatic performances on film (e.g. Robin Williams, "Good Will Hunting").
Everything must progress, including Ferrell's acting range.
Hellmant2 August 2011
'EVERYTHING MUST GO': Three and a Half Stars (Out of Five)
Will Ferrell tries his hand at more serious comedy-drama again (after the likes of 2006's 'STRANGER THAN FICTION') with this tale of a relapsed alcoholic who loses his job and wife on the same day and resorts to living on his front lawn. It's based on the short story 'Why Don't You Dance' by Raymond Carver and is written and directed by first time filmmaker Dan Rush. It co-stars Rebecca Hall, Michael Pena, Stephen Root, Laura Dern and Christopher Jordan Wallace (the son of Faith Evans and the late rapper 'The Notorious B.I.G.') in his second film. The movie is funny as well as depressing and emotional. It's a nice step in Ferrell's career, for exploring broader range.
Ferrell plays Nick Halsey, an alcoholic who's recently fell off the wagon. As the film opens he's fired from his job for apparently having an affair with a new employee and then left by his wife for the same reason. He's also locked out of his home (after his wife changes the locks), with all of his belongings left on the front lawn. His credit cards have all been canceled as well and his company car is repossessed by his former employers. With no money and no place to go he decides to camp out on his front lawn with all his stuff. His neighbors complain of him being a public nuisance though and he's reported to the police. Thanks to city law his cop buddy Frank (Pena) is able to give him five days to hold a yard sale before he has to kick him off the property. While trying to sell his stuff Nick befriends a new neighbor across the street (Hall) and a local neighborhood kid (Wallace).
Like I said the movie is surprisingly dramatic for a Will Ferrell movie and he pulls off his performance impressively. The material isn't too much of a stretch for him given that it's still pretty comedic but it's definitely honest and set in reality (unlike the majority of his films, which are mostly slapstick) and there's some pretty hard hitting drama at times as well, especially towards the end. The movie still has a sizable amount of laughs though so traditional Ferrell fans shouldn't be disappointed. That's why the movie is the perfect step for Ferrell (to test out his range). A gigantic leap in to serious drama would be to sudden and the film works perfectly as is. A smart move for Ferrell and a decent film results because of it.
Watch our review show 'MOVIE TALK' at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEq_X_axUaU
Will Ferrell tries his hand at more serious comedy-drama again (after the likes of 2006's 'STRANGER THAN FICTION') with this tale of a relapsed alcoholic who loses his job and wife on the same day and resorts to living on his front lawn. It's based on the short story 'Why Don't You Dance' by Raymond Carver and is written and directed by first time filmmaker Dan Rush. It co-stars Rebecca Hall, Michael Pena, Stephen Root, Laura Dern and Christopher Jordan Wallace (the son of Faith Evans and the late rapper 'The Notorious B.I.G.') in his second film. The movie is funny as well as depressing and emotional. It's a nice step in Ferrell's career, for exploring broader range.
Ferrell plays Nick Halsey, an alcoholic who's recently fell off the wagon. As the film opens he's fired from his job for apparently having an affair with a new employee and then left by his wife for the same reason. He's also locked out of his home (after his wife changes the locks), with all of his belongings left on the front lawn. His credit cards have all been canceled as well and his company car is repossessed by his former employers. With no money and no place to go he decides to camp out on his front lawn with all his stuff. His neighbors complain of him being a public nuisance though and he's reported to the police. Thanks to city law his cop buddy Frank (Pena) is able to give him five days to hold a yard sale before he has to kick him off the property. While trying to sell his stuff Nick befriends a new neighbor across the street (Hall) and a local neighborhood kid (Wallace).
Like I said the movie is surprisingly dramatic for a Will Ferrell movie and he pulls off his performance impressively. The material isn't too much of a stretch for him given that it's still pretty comedic but it's definitely honest and set in reality (unlike the majority of his films, which are mostly slapstick) and there's some pretty hard hitting drama at times as well, especially towards the end. The movie still has a sizable amount of laughs though so traditional Ferrell fans shouldn't be disappointed. That's why the movie is the perfect step for Ferrell (to test out his range). A gigantic leap in to serious drama would be to sudden and the film works perfectly as is. A smart move for Ferrell and a decent film results because of it.
Watch our review show 'MOVIE TALK' at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEq_X_axUaU
The Serious Side of Will
view_and_review12 January 2016
I'll readily admit, this is not my favorite genre. This movie was incredibly somber, which was especially depressing considering I was expecting a comedy. One of the quotes on the movie jacket said, "Sharply funny." Not that there were NO funny moments but not nearly enough to classify the entire movie as funny.
Will Ferrell was good in this bleak film. I hadn't seen something quite like this since the 80's movie "Less Than Zero" with Robert Downey Jr. Ferrell played Nicholas, a lush that just lost his job and his wife due to his habit. The movie plays out on his front lawn with all of his belongings as his wife moved all his stuff outside and had all the locks changed.
"Everything Must Go" dives in to the dark and pitiful world of alcoholics. Even though this movie is about an alcoholic it could just as easily be about any addiction. There is not much by way of action or anything really. The movie follows the listless Nicholas as he forges some new bonds and tries to restore old ones all while in his front lawn. It's a slow moving sobering movie that is done quite well.
Will Ferrell was good in this bleak film. I hadn't seen something quite like this since the 80's movie "Less Than Zero" with Robert Downey Jr. Ferrell played Nicholas, a lush that just lost his job and his wife due to his habit. The movie plays out on his front lawn with all of his belongings as his wife moved all his stuff outside and had all the locks changed.
"Everything Must Go" dives in to the dark and pitiful world of alcoholics. Even though this movie is about an alcoholic it could just as easily be about any addiction. There is not much by way of action or anything really. The movie follows the listless Nicholas as he forges some new bonds and tries to restore old ones all while in his front lawn. It's a slow moving sobering movie that is done quite well.
Two terrific performances carry this everyman story.
nesfilmreviews1 March 2013
It's a touching, and beautiful character study on real people, with real problems. You can go anywhere - and you'll find someone who's faced an alcoholic - and the effects it has on their personality, their relationships, and ultimately their life. Now, ask three people about divorce - statistics show that over 50% of couples end in separation. Since you've covered two dramatic issues, go take a look at the unemployment rate - or even worse, about the people who've been laid off from their job because of the recession. Finally, imagine facing all three devastating predicaments, in one day. "Everything Must Go", is loosely adapted from the Raymond Carver story "Why Don't You Dance?"--a portrait of a man in collapse.
After Nick (Will Farrell) is fired from his sales job, mostly because of his alcoholism, he comes home and finds that his wife has kicked him --and all of his stuff out of the house and onto the front lawn. She's also canceled their co-owned credit cards and pretty much set him adrift with nowhere, literally, to go. So he pulls up his La-Z-Boy, He cracks a perpetual 12-pack, and drops out of normal life entirely.
Ferrell's work is impressive; there are comic moments scattered throughout the film, but he downplays them until they become moments of desperation. He slowly starts making friends with a neighborhood kid Kenny (Christopher Walace), who also does a fine job, who needs something to do. Two women enter Nick's new anti-life: a new neighbor pregnant Samantha (Rebecca Hall), awaiting the arrival of an absent husband, and an old high school classmate Delilah, played by Laura Dern. Eventually, Nick then finds himself eventually--ready to move on--and selling all his possessions to do so.
This is all accomplished by first time writer/director Dan Rush. He shows us a simplistic story, harnesses it into his own, and produces a deeply moving motion picture. It never feels clichéd or forced--Rush lets his film transcend nicely by not creating plot points for sentiment or lines of dialect for pity. Sure, there's a transformation in Nick's character - but all of it is done with nuance and genuine compassion.
"Everything Must Go" isn't a comedy, but it's not entirely a tragedy, either, It straddles this line with a deeply nuanced confidence. Unconventional, but heart-felt and nonetheless satisfying. "Everything Must Go" leaves on a somewhat melancholy note. We see Nick finally paying his dues,--respecting and giving back to those who've helped him through this dark time. The Band's "I Shall Be Released" starts playing in the background-- and the film morphs from engaging to moving.
After Nick (Will Farrell) is fired from his sales job, mostly because of his alcoholism, he comes home and finds that his wife has kicked him --and all of his stuff out of the house and onto the front lawn. She's also canceled their co-owned credit cards and pretty much set him adrift with nowhere, literally, to go. So he pulls up his La-Z-Boy, He cracks a perpetual 12-pack, and drops out of normal life entirely.
Ferrell's work is impressive; there are comic moments scattered throughout the film, but he downplays them until they become moments of desperation. He slowly starts making friends with a neighborhood kid Kenny (Christopher Walace), who also does a fine job, who needs something to do. Two women enter Nick's new anti-life: a new neighbor pregnant Samantha (Rebecca Hall), awaiting the arrival of an absent husband, and an old high school classmate Delilah, played by Laura Dern. Eventually, Nick then finds himself eventually--ready to move on--and selling all his possessions to do so.
This is all accomplished by first time writer/director Dan Rush. He shows us a simplistic story, harnesses it into his own, and produces a deeply moving motion picture. It never feels clichéd or forced--Rush lets his film transcend nicely by not creating plot points for sentiment or lines of dialect for pity. Sure, there's a transformation in Nick's character - but all of it is done with nuance and genuine compassion.
"Everything Must Go" isn't a comedy, but it's not entirely a tragedy, either, It straddles this line with a deeply nuanced confidence. Unconventional, but heart-felt and nonetheless satisfying. "Everything Must Go" leaves on a somewhat melancholy note. We see Nick finally paying his dues,--respecting and giving back to those who've helped him through this dark time. The Band's "I Shall Be Released" starts playing in the background-- and the film morphs from engaging to moving.
Notorious S.A.D.
ferguson-617 May 2011
Warning: Spoilers
Greetings again from the darkness. Seeing this film back-to-back with Mel Gibson's "The Beaver" was a mistake. Following up manic depression with severe alcoholism and mild depression is just a bit too much weight in such a short time. But I guess that's the point of this one. Will Ferrell stars as Nick who loses his job, punctures his boss' tire, and finds out his wife not only left him, but also locked him out of the house with all his belongings in the front yard. That's in the first 8 minutes of the film.
Ferrell proceeds to get drunk ... while sitting in his Lazy Boy in the front yard. He clearly has hit bottom and shows no signs of recovering. At least not until he partners with a lonely, young, bike riding boy named Kenny (Christopher Jordan Wallace, son of Notorious B.I.G.). This partnership consists of Kenny doing most of the work for the yard sale while Ferrell sleeps and drinks.
Rebecca Hall plays a pregnant woman who is moving in across the street. "What kind of man makes his wife move across country alone?". That's the question Ferrell asks Hall ... and along with the viewer, these two characters understand the answer would be a man just like Ferrell.
What I like about the film is that there are numerous signs of real human emotion throughout, yet none of the main characters overplays their part. If you are unaccustomed to seeing Mr. Ferrell in anything but slapstick comedies, I encourage you to see "Stranger Than Fiction". He really does have dramatic acting skills on top of his amazing comedic talent.
The film comes from first time director Dan Rush and short story writer-extraordinaire Raymond Carver. The script does capture much of the emotion that goes with feeling rejected and searching for numbness in a bottle ... or in this case, a Pabst beer can. Supporting work from Stephen Root, Laura Dern and Michael Pena are solid, but the best scenes are between Ferrell, Wallace and Hall. Don't show up expecting to laugh much. This is a serio-drama that makes you think ... there but for the grace of God ...
Ferrell proceeds to get drunk ... while sitting in his Lazy Boy in the front yard. He clearly has hit bottom and shows no signs of recovering. At least not until he partners with a lonely, young, bike riding boy named Kenny (Christopher Jordan Wallace, son of Notorious B.I.G.). This partnership consists of Kenny doing most of the work for the yard sale while Ferrell sleeps and drinks.
Rebecca Hall plays a pregnant woman who is moving in across the street. "What kind of man makes his wife move across country alone?". That's the question Ferrell asks Hall ... and along with the viewer, these two characters understand the answer would be a man just like Ferrell.
What I like about the film is that there are numerous signs of real human emotion throughout, yet none of the main characters overplays their part. If you are unaccustomed to seeing Mr. Ferrell in anything but slapstick comedies, I encourage you to see "Stranger Than Fiction". He really does have dramatic acting skills on top of his amazing comedic talent.
The film comes from first time director Dan Rush and short story writer-extraordinaire Raymond Carver. The script does capture much of the emotion that goes with feeling rejected and searching for numbness in a bottle ... or in this case, a Pabst beer can. Supporting work from Stephen Root, Laura Dern and Michael Pena are solid, but the best scenes are between Ferrell, Wallace and Hall. Don't show up expecting to laugh much. This is a serio-drama that makes you think ... there but for the grace of God ...
Was looking for an easy comedy to help me sleep...what I discovered was invaluable
DarkWandererAU7 January 2016
Warning: Spoilers
OK so, no this movie did not help me sleep. It kept me staring at the ceiling for an hour after the credits started rolling, then compelled me to wake up and write this, my second ever review on IMDb. To those of you who have or have ever had trouble sleeping...you know when your brain just won't shut the hell up & everything is running through your mind a mile a second? Well, I figured I needed something light and funny to soothe me to sleep...instantly I thought of Will Ferrel. I wanted to watch a film of his I hadn't seen before, and then came Everything Must Go.
Remember Adam Sandler in Reign Over Me? Get ready to be wowed by another comedy actor turning to a more serious role. Ferrel plays Nick Halsey, a middle-aged professional working in a senior position for a top corporation who also struggles with alcohol. What happens to set the stage for the film is every mans worst nightmare. All in one day, he loses his job, his wife & his home and has all his possessions tossed onto his front yard with no access back into his house. With no car, no money and no where to go, he takes up residence on his front lawn. With the help of a neighbourhood kid, a new neighbour & an old high school acquaintance, Nick embarks on a journey to discover how his choices got him exactly where he is today. Because although the writers fool you into having sympathy for our main protagonist at the beginning of the film, the dots slowly connect and you discover that maybe Nick himself is largely to blame for his current circumstances.
What spoke to me is Nicks addiction. The first thing he does on his front lawn when everything has gone to hell is crack open a beer. Which sad to say, is what I would've done, although alcohol is not my poison. At first, his drinking just seems like a reaction to his bad situation, but it turns out it has been a major influence on his life for a long time. Each character plays a specific role in his self-discoveries. The neighbourhood kid gives him a purpose, someone to teach about sales and helps him reflect on his relationship with his parents. The new neighbour is a representation of how Nick and his wife started out and the "compromises" that had to be made (and I say this in the least creepy way possible, she was the most beautiful pregnant woman I've ever seen (even though she obviously isn't really pregnant)). While the old high school acquaintance (again, I heavily related to this) was someone from another time in Nicks life who saw him as this larger than life character with a big heart, who was sure to be destined for great things. And Nick is desperate to be reassured that he is still that guy. The thing I noticed is...Nicks encounters with these 3 characters is always one on one (except at the end when there is a walking scene but no dialogue), and I tell you, each encounter with each character will have you hooked to your screen. I can't explain it, it was nearly like the adrenaline rush you get with an action movie but a lot more subtle. You never knew if the exchange was going to be positive or negative.
The theme of the movie can be summed up like this: "how did my choices in life lead me to now?". I relate to Nick in almost every way...except for the choices he made. Because it was my lack of making choices that led me to a similar place that he finds himself in. It was freaky how in almost every scene I would have reacted the same as he did, and I kid you not, right before he says to the cop "There's a law that says I can't drink a f#$%ing beer on my lawn?", I thought in my head "there's a law in the US that says you can't drink a f#$%ing beer on your own front lawn?" I can't really recommend this film enough based on entertainment value alone, but if you're looking for a movie that is sure to trigger some self-reflection also, then you have really stumbled onto a winner with Everything Must Go. The humour is scarce but you get 2 to 3 laugh out loud moments, the rest will either make you smile or chuckle (depending on how sensitive your funny bone is).
I don't get all the hater reviews on here. A lot of them are complaining that they were "duped" because they went to see a funny Will Ferrel comedy but got this instead...Awwwww, poor baby, need me to kiss the boo boo better? Grow up! If you were dumb enough to not look into the movie you were going to see (regardless of the lead actor) then you brought it on yourself. Even I read the short bio on this website before I watched it, after I read the part about him struggling with alcohol I knew it wasn't going to be all moon beams and my little ponies. And you didn't like that the movie was 'depressing' did you? You one of those warm fuzzy types that always has to have their head up with the fairies? Life can be depressing, life can be hard...this isn't news. And for a movie to bring these truths to light in such an artistic, engaging and REAL fashion...inspired. And you didn't like it? I'm sure if I ever met you I'd punch you in your 1 dimensional head.
To all lovers of movies with substance that stimulate your brain, stop reading this review already and watch this movie. A movie that leaves you with a feeling of "new starts are hard, and they may not work out, but the only other option is to sink".
Remember Adam Sandler in Reign Over Me? Get ready to be wowed by another comedy actor turning to a more serious role. Ferrel plays Nick Halsey, a middle-aged professional working in a senior position for a top corporation who also struggles with alcohol. What happens to set the stage for the film is every mans worst nightmare. All in one day, he loses his job, his wife & his home and has all his possessions tossed onto his front yard with no access back into his house. With no car, no money and no where to go, he takes up residence on his front lawn. With the help of a neighbourhood kid, a new neighbour & an old high school acquaintance, Nick embarks on a journey to discover how his choices got him exactly where he is today. Because although the writers fool you into having sympathy for our main protagonist at the beginning of the film, the dots slowly connect and you discover that maybe Nick himself is largely to blame for his current circumstances.
What spoke to me is Nicks addiction. The first thing he does on his front lawn when everything has gone to hell is crack open a beer. Which sad to say, is what I would've done, although alcohol is not my poison. At first, his drinking just seems like a reaction to his bad situation, but it turns out it has been a major influence on his life for a long time. Each character plays a specific role in his self-discoveries. The neighbourhood kid gives him a purpose, someone to teach about sales and helps him reflect on his relationship with his parents. The new neighbour is a representation of how Nick and his wife started out and the "compromises" that had to be made (and I say this in the least creepy way possible, she was the most beautiful pregnant woman I've ever seen (even though she obviously isn't really pregnant)). While the old high school acquaintance (again, I heavily related to this) was someone from another time in Nicks life who saw him as this larger than life character with a big heart, who was sure to be destined for great things. And Nick is desperate to be reassured that he is still that guy. The thing I noticed is...Nicks encounters with these 3 characters is always one on one (except at the end when there is a walking scene but no dialogue), and I tell you, each encounter with each character will have you hooked to your screen. I can't explain it, it was nearly like the adrenaline rush you get with an action movie but a lot more subtle. You never knew if the exchange was going to be positive or negative.
The theme of the movie can be summed up like this: "how did my choices in life lead me to now?". I relate to Nick in almost every way...except for the choices he made. Because it was my lack of making choices that led me to a similar place that he finds himself in. It was freaky how in almost every scene I would have reacted the same as he did, and I kid you not, right before he says to the cop "There's a law that says I can't drink a f#$%ing beer on my lawn?", I thought in my head "there's a law in the US that says you can't drink a f#$%ing beer on your own front lawn?" I can't really recommend this film enough based on entertainment value alone, but if you're looking for a movie that is sure to trigger some self-reflection also, then you have really stumbled onto a winner with Everything Must Go. The humour is scarce but you get 2 to 3 laugh out loud moments, the rest will either make you smile or chuckle (depending on how sensitive your funny bone is).
I don't get all the hater reviews on here. A lot of them are complaining that they were "duped" because they went to see a funny Will Ferrel comedy but got this instead...Awwwww, poor baby, need me to kiss the boo boo better? Grow up! If you were dumb enough to not look into the movie you were going to see (regardless of the lead actor) then you brought it on yourself. Even I read the short bio on this website before I watched it, after I read the part about him struggling with alcohol I knew it wasn't going to be all moon beams and my little ponies. And you didn't like that the movie was 'depressing' did you? You one of those warm fuzzy types that always has to have their head up with the fairies? Life can be depressing, life can be hard...this isn't news. And for a movie to bring these truths to light in such an artistic, engaging and REAL fashion...inspired. And you didn't like it? I'm sure if I ever met you I'd punch you in your 1 dimensional head.
To all lovers of movies with substance that stimulate your brain, stop reading this review already and watch this movie. A movie that leaves you with a feeling of "new starts are hard, and they may not work out, but the only other option is to sink".
"Everything is not yet lost."
classicsoncall11 December 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Strange film. With Will Ferrell in the cast, and a title like "Everything Must Go", you would expect some sort of comedy given the set up and the situation his character Nick Halsey finds himself in. Instead it becomes sort of an introspective look at the reason for Halsey's alcoholism and job loss, punctuated by occasional lapses into his past life which at one time seemed to hold promise. The one big question mark I had in the story was when he showed up on the doorstep of a former high school classmate (Laura Dern), after finding out where she lived by contacting her mother back in their old home town. But then, didn't it seem like she lived just around the corner? How would he not have known that? I thought it a major distraction.
Adding insult to injury, Nick's AA sponsor (Michael Peña) has been in a relationship with Nick's wife for the past few months without him knowing it, and the shock becomes further unsettling. All through the ordeal of living on his lawn and slowly discarding his possessions by virtue of a five day yard sale, Nick somehow copes in his low key manner, which is only triggered toward anger when he runs low on Pabst Blue Ribbon. Befriending a young neighborhood boy (Christopher Jordan Wallace) and a new pregnant neighbor (Rebecca Hall) who just moved in, Nick learns a few things about what a jerk he's been and the value of friendship. You wish the story had a more upbeat ending, and in that regard, maybe it does tend to be more realistic than the ones where everyone lives happily ever after. This is a hard one for the viewer to come to grips with, because in between some humorous moments, it's at the same time a sad film to come away from.
Adding insult to injury, Nick's AA sponsor (Michael Peña) has been in a relationship with Nick's wife for the past few months without him knowing it, and the shock becomes further unsettling. All through the ordeal of living on his lawn and slowly discarding his possessions by virtue of a five day yard sale, Nick somehow copes in his low key manner, which is only triggered toward anger when he runs low on Pabst Blue Ribbon. Befriending a young neighborhood boy (Christopher Jordan Wallace) and a new pregnant neighbor (Rebecca Hall) who just moved in, Nick learns a few things about what a jerk he's been and the value of friendship. You wish the story had a more upbeat ending, and in that regard, maybe it does tend to be more realistic than the ones where everyone lives happily ever after. This is a hard one for the viewer to come to grips with, because in between some humorous moments, it's at the same time a sad film to come away from.
Will Ferrell Shows Some Versatility, But The Story Has No Real Point Or Conclusion
sddavis636 July 2013
Warning: Spoilers
The first thing to know about this movie is that it's not your typical Will Ferrell comedy. It's not outrageously funny; it's not ridiculously silly. Truthfully, in spite of the comedy/drama label, it's not really a comedy at all. This probably just could have been called a drama. This is downcast, sombre and even sad almost from the first moment. It makes the point that Ferrell can offer an effective performance without having to be outrageous (much as "Reign On Me" made that point for Adam Sandler.) And he was effective in this.
His character is Nick Halsey. Nick is a regional vice president of sales for a major corporation of some sort, but he has lots of problems - especially the fact that he's an alcoholic; a problem that's been with him for a long time. As the movie opens, it finally comes to an end for Nick. The company is tired of him. It's not that he's unsuccessful at what he does - they're just tired of him and his antics, and he gets fired. Then, when he arrives home, he discovers his wife is gone, she's changed the locks on the house, and thrown all of his possessions on the front lawn. With nothing else to do and nowhere else to go, Nick takes up residence in the front yard, finally organizing a giant lawn sale just to get rid of everything.
Basically that's the story, and the story is the biggest weakness of the movie. This doesn't really go anywhere, it never leads to anything, there's absolutely no closure in how it ends. It basically revolves around the relationships Nick develops with a new neighbour (Samantha, played by Rebecca Hall) who's having some problems of her own and seems to find in Nick a sort of kindred spirit, and with Kenny (Christopher C.J. Wallace) - a local overweight teenager who doesn't really fit in and who helps Nick with the yard sale. The development of those relationships moves the story forward ever so slowly, but as I said it moves slowly forward to no real destination. And by the time this ends you even wonder about those relationships. Did they mean very much? Will they be lasting? And I was lost by the need to involve Laura Dern as one of Nick's former high school classmates. That whole interplay really offered little, except noting that Nick has a big heart. That surely could have been done without the need to introduce a totally extraneous character into the mix.
I liked Ferrell in this. He's not the one dimensional actor he sometimes appears to be. The fact that this offered him a vehicle to show that in a low-key and sombre role makes it worthwhile, I suppose, but it doesn't overcome the terribly heavy and ultimately unresolved plot. (5/10)
His character is Nick Halsey. Nick is a regional vice president of sales for a major corporation of some sort, but he has lots of problems - especially the fact that he's an alcoholic; a problem that's been with him for a long time. As the movie opens, it finally comes to an end for Nick. The company is tired of him. It's not that he's unsuccessful at what he does - they're just tired of him and his antics, and he gets fired. Then, when he arrives home, he discovers his wife is gone, she's changed the locks on the house, and thrown all of his possessions on the front lawn. With nothing else to do and nowhere else to go, Nick takes up residence in the front yard, finally organizing a giant lawn sale just to get rid of everything.
Basically that's the story, and the story is the biggest weakness of the movie. This doesn't really go anywhere, it never leads to anything, there's absolutely no closure in how it ends. It basically revolves around the relationships Nick develops with a new neighbour (Samantha, played by Rebecca Hall) who's having some problems of her own and seems to find in Nick a sort of kindred spirit, and with Kenny (Christopher C.J. Wallace) - a local overweight teenager who doesn't really fit in and who helps Nick with the yard sale. The development of those relationships moves the story forward ever so slowly, but as I said it moves slowly forward to no real destination. And by the time this ends you even wonder about those relationships. Did they mean very much? Will they be lasting? And I was lost by the need to involve Laura Dern as one of Nick's former high school classmates. That whole interplay really offered little, except noting that Nick has a big heart. That surely could have been done without the need to introduce a totally extraneous character into the mix.
I liked Ferrell in this. He's not the one dimensional actor he sometimes appears to be. The fact that this offered him a vehicle to show that in a low-key and sombre role makes it worthwhile, I suppose, but it doesn't overcome the terribly heavy and ultimately unresolved plot. (5/10)
Rewards for the Serious Moviegoer
jwbeller19 May 2011
Warning: Spoilers
This is not a movie for the masses. Will Ferrell fans who liked Melinda and Melinda and Stranger Than Fiction will not be surprised by his performance as Nick Halsey in this movie. He does comedy so well, many of his devoted fans may not realize that he is a good dramatic actor as well.
Ferrell's supporting actors, especially Christopher Jordan Wallace, are also very good. The story moves at a slow and deliberate pace which will bore all but serious moviegoers. However, the acting is excellent along the way, and in the end, the movie has synergy and leaves you with a positive feeling about Nick's future.
If you like deliberately paced independent films, go see this movie. It won't be around long.
Ferrell's supporting actors, especially Christopher Jordan Wallace, are also very good. The story moves at a slow and deliberate pace which will bore all but serious moviegoers. However, the acting is excellent along the way, and in the end, the movie has synergy and leaves you with a positive feeling about Nick's future.
If you like deliberately paced independent films, go see this movie. It won't be around long.
An Underrated Film With Ever More Underrated Performances Honestly Portraying Alcoholism
ASuiGeneris22 June 2017
This is such an underrated film.
First and foremost, Will Ferrell. I barely recognized the man! Such an impressive performance of a struggling alcoholic in the throes of the addiction. It was subtle in such a way that really made viewers see how difficult it can be, but not making it completely depressing.
Supporting performances by Laura Dern, Rebecca Hall, Michael Peña, & young Christopher Wallace were likewise stellar. Several heartfelt moments that were surprisingly moving. I admit to feeling tears a couple times.
I love watching things that turn out far better than expected! And I have a newfound respect for Will Ferrell.
First and foremost, Will Ferrell. I barely recognized the man! Such an impressive performance of a struggling alcoholic in the throes of the addiction. It was subtle in such a way that really made viewers see how difficult it can be, but not making it completely depressing.
Supporting performances by Laura Dern, Rebecca Hall, Michael Peña, & young Christopher Wallace were likewise stellar. Several heartfelt moments that were surprisingly moving. I admit to feeling tears a couple times.
I love watching things that turn out far better than expected! And I have a newfound respect for Will Ferrell.
Absolutely absurd from the word go.
Rockwell_Cronenberg18 August 2011
I think that Will Ferrell is one of those actors that can do a pretty solid job of mixing comedy with drama, and I like when he plays human characters. Unfortunately here he is stuck in a movie that pretends to be this grounded character drama about a broken man who's lost everything, while it's actually just an absurd story that doesn't fit into any real context and meanders along until it thankfully comes to it's disastrous end. The film has a setup that I just couldn't get into at all. Based on a short story by Raymond Carver, Ferrell's Nick Halsey gets fired in the opening scene and then goes home to find out that his wife put all of his things on the lawn and changed the locks on the door. Halsey constantly makes a point of mentioning that he owns the house, so why doesn't he just call the police and have them let him in? Seems pretty simple. Even more simple given that his wife just isn't there anymore; why would she bother changing the locks and throwing his things on the lawn if she was just leaving? So right off the bat I wasn't on good terms with this one.
However, I can get past a rocky setup. Earlier this year, Hesher had a pitch that I didn't buy whatsoever, but it still managed to impress me with a strong character study and excellent performances. Everything Must Go, on the other hand, offers no redeeming qualities. After the ridiculous setup, we're loaded with scene after scene of painfully contrived moments that would just never happen. Rebecca Hall plays the clichéd stranger that randomly decides to become friends with the man who is living on his lawn drinking all day. Yeah, every pregnant woman does that. Christopher Jordan Wallace comes along as the young kid who needs a mentor and finds it in the creepy adult with no friends, one of the most idiotic clichés in film. There's a whole ten minute scene with Laura Dern's character that is of no consequence to the rest of the film, adds nothing to the character and is clearly there as filler to get the movie to a decent running time. It's just scene after scene of absurd moves that no one with half a brain could watch with any sense of genuine believability all led by a performance from Ferrell that couldn't have been more lazy and lifeless if he tried. A dreadful picture with absolutely nothing going for it.
However, I can get past a rocky setup. Earlier this year, Hesher had a pitch that I didn't buy whatsoever, but it still managed to impress me with a strong character study and excellent performances. Everything Must Go, on the other hand, offers no redeeming qualities. After the ridiculous setup, we're loaded with scene after scene of painfully contrived moments that would just never happen. Rebecca Hall plays the clichéd stranger that randomly decides to become friends with the man who is living on his lawn drinking all day. Yeah, every pregnant woman does that. Christopher Jordan Wallace comes along as the young kid who needs a mentor and finds it in the creepy adult with no friends, one of the most idiotic clichés in film. There's a whole ten minute scene with Laura Dern's character that is of no consequence to the rest of the film, adds nothing to the character and is clearly there as filler to get the movie to a decent running time. It's just scene after scene of absurd moves that no one with half a brain could watch with any sense of genuine believability all led by a performance from Ferrell that couldn't have been more lazy and lifeless if he tried. A dreadful picture with absolutely nothing going for it.
A different role for Will Ferrell. A very good performance in a very good movie. Well worth watching. I say A
cosmo_tiger3 September 2011
"Good without the bad ain't no good at all." After Nick (Ferrell) gets fired from his job of 16 years he comes home to find his wife has changed the locks on his doors and all of his stuff is on the lawn. Thinking the best way to fix things is to stay at home Nick begins his new life, living outside. This is a very very good movie and a very different role for Will Ferrell. While not quite as good as Adam Sandler in "Reign Over Me", Ferrell still shows he has what it takes to be a good dramatic actor. There are a few funny parts in this but this is not a comedy. It's a drama with a lot of heart and while the movie is depressing at times it is a joy to watch. Ferrell does have some funny scenes with his own style of humor that adds to the character and watching him with the actor that plays Kenny is a treat. This is not a typical Will Ferrell movie, but being a huge fan I loved it and look forward to more roles like this from him. I highly recommend this. Overall, if you like Ferrell you will like this, if you don't give this a shot still. You may like the change. I give it an A.
Would I watch again? - I think I would.
*Also try - Barney's Version
Would I watch again? - I think I would.
*Also try - Barney's Version
Will Ferrell solid actor
SnoopyStyle3 July 2014
Nick Halsey (Will Ferrell) loses his job of 16 years for drunkenness. His wife has locked him out and thrown all his stuff onto the front lawn. He befriends his new pregnant neighbor Samantha (Rebecca Hall). His cop friend Frank Garcia (Michael Peña) tells him to at least pretend to have a yard sale. There is the kid Kenny Loftus who Nick starts paying to watch his stuff.
This is a small indie from newcomer writer/director Dan Rush. All in all, this is simply about Will Ferrell and whether he can pull off this quieter darker character. He's not yelling at everything and he does a good job. He is compelling and drives this movie all the way. It is a little bit jarring to see Will playing against type at first. Once I adjusted, he shows his solid acting.
This is a small indie from newcomer writer/director Dan Rush. All in all, this is simply about Will Ferrell and whether he can pull off this quieter darker character. He's not yelling at everything and he does a good job. He is compelling and drives this movie all the way. It is a little bit jarring to see Will playing against type at first. Once I adjusted, he shows his solid acting.
A great blend of humor and drama
blackmambamark16 May 2011
I am a firm believer that comedic actors can pull off some of the most convincing dramatic roles, but they're rarely ever given the chance. Adam Sandler with "Punch Drunk Love", Jim Carrey with "The Truman Show", Robin Williams with "Good Will Hunting", and most recently with Will Ferrell in "Stranger Than Fiction". I'm glad to see that he's getting another go about it, because he has certainly earned it with me.
Does something really dramatic happen in your life, something that changes your entire path, and then a couple of days later you see a movie that seems to capture everything you've been thinking about. Well for me, it's this movie. Given my current situation, this movie really struck a cord with me. Now i know i shouldn't be partial to a movie just because of my current status, so i did take a step back and observed the movie for what it really was, and yet i still found a pretty damn good picture.
The storyline sets itself inside your head with great ease, and i think that's because you can identify with the main character really well. And i'm not just saying that because of my own personal account, but because Will Ferrell IS a comedic actor, and we have all laughed at him in the past. So seeing him in such dire straights kind of makes us feel for him, which in turn, makes the plot that much brighter.
Now i know most people may walk into this thing expecting to see a laugh out loud comedy. You may find that, but it's more on the serious side with some deep and dark humor. Somewhat similar to what he already did in "Stranger Than Fiction", and once again, he does a great job of selling the character. But this movie does have the perfect dose of both the humor and drama, and it never gets caught up trying to do both at the same time.
However, the one minor problem i did have with the film was the ending. It wasn't bad, but i was looking for a more epic finale'. I know i can't get that all the time, but this movie was pushing forward with such great momentum, and you just wanted this overwhelming sense of atonement by the end. Sure i got some of that, but i could have used a bit more.
Bottom Line, i liked this movie a lot. If offers something different, yet something so very simple at the same time. It's both funny and dramatic, and for me, it gave me somewhat of a catharsis. Will Ferrell really has served up another one. I know it's early in the year, but so far, this is one of the best films i have seen in 2011.
Does something really dramatic happen in your life, something that changes your entire path, and then a couple of days later you see a movie that seems to capture everything you've been thinking about. Well for me, it's this movie. Given my current situation, this movie really struck a cord with me. Now i know i shouldn't be partial to a movie just because of my current status, so i did take a step back and observed the movie for what it really was, and yet i still found a pretty damn good picture.
The storyline sets itself inside your head with great ease, and i think that's because you can identify with the main character really well. And i'm not just saying that because of my own personal account, but because Will Ferrell IS a comedic actor, and we have all laughed at him in the past. So seeing him in such dire straights kind of makes us feel for him, which in turn, makes the plot that much brighter.
Now i know most people may walk into this thing expecting to see a laugh out loud comedy. You may find that, but it's more on the serious side with some deep and dark humor. Somewhat similar to what he already did in "Stranger Than Fiction", and once again, he does a great job of selling the character. But this movie does have the perfect dose of both the humor and drama, and it never gets caught up trying to do both at the same time.
However, the one minor problem i did have with the film was the ending. It wasn't bad, but i was looking for a more epic finale'. I know i can't get that all the time, but this movie was pushing forward with such great momentum, and you just wanted this overwhelming sense of atonement by the end. Sure i got some of that, but i could have used a bit more.
Bottom Line, i liked this movie a lot. If offers something different, yet something so very simple at the same time. It's both funny and dramatic, and for me, it gave me somewhat of a catharsis. Will Ferrell really has served up another one. I know it's early in the year, but so far, this is one of the best films i have seen in 2011.
Everything Must Go ...Relatable
LiLTORTYA20 June 2014
Had never heard or seen this. Just started watching the movie and so far I cannot see why many put this film down. I am finding the storyline relative to so many married couples and understanding. I appreciate the characters and actors involved. Michael Pena, Rebecca Hall and Christopher Wallace - to name a few - offer a sensible balance. I do adore Will Ferrell. Seeing him in this, I have no doubt about Will's acting abilities. Well done. Just cannot believe this film passed me by when it came out. I encourage the negative reviewers to not expect Ferrell to burst into a SNL skit and see it for what the film is about. Watching Will Ferrell camping out on his lawn after his wife up and kicks him out, sitting in his man chair, feasting on Chinese take-out, drinking Pabst New Ribbon, going to get jerky from the mini-mart is just all so priceless to see. Anyone who has been uprooted from their everyday life can sympathize in processing the shake up. To know how much of Ferrell's character is troubled is truly sad. He had a job, a wife, ...a life and it all came to a halt, even his bank account. Having the desire to sell what he can is truly recognizable.
Pretty Good
bob-rutzel-126 September 2011
Nick Halsey (Ferrell) loses his job because of his alcoholism. His wife has left him and had the locks to the house changed so he can't get in, and then she threw his belongings out on the front lawn. There is only one thing to do: hold a yard sale and reluctantly he does just that.
I must have my head examined to be actually contemplating another Will Ferrell movie (Ah, but you did like him in Stranger Than Fiction, right?) Yes, yes I did, but in nothing else. The man isn't funny. He just has good PR and one heck of a support-in-crowd. Stranger Than Fiction was NOT his usual goofy comedic attempt at comedy. It was more of a lite-drama. Very good.
Okay, Show Time: Hey, this is a very good story, not a comedy although some may find some stuff not intended to be funny to be funny as there is no accounting for peoples' taste in comedy.
Everything is well acted, no goofiness or over-the-top slap-stick (well done like in Stranger than Fiction, right?) Yes, like that. I think Robin Williams must have gotten to Ferrell and told him to do some drama as it will extend his playing time. Whatever the case, it worked. Will Ferrell is a good dramatic actor and I'm thinking we will see more of this side of him. Of course, he will continue to do the goofy, silly and stupid movies, but don't watch them.
This is slow moving, but you find yourself caring for Nick and he seems to be handling things pretty good ..so far but, we are wary that he might go off the deep end in time. You know, the calm before the storm kind of thing. So we watch with our fingers crossed. Hey, we have questions: Will Nick be okay? Will the wife come back? Will he sell everything on the lawn? Will he be hit with divorce papers? Will he ever get into the house? Will we ever see the wife?
There is a slight twist in here and it explains many things.
The supporting cast was simply great and a good reason everything worked so well. Looking back on everything, I'd say it was pretty good.
Violence: No. Sex: Yes, when Nick looks into the neighbor's window. Nudity: No. Language: Yes,
I must have my head examined to be actually contemplating another Will Ferrell movie (Ah, but you did like him in Stranger Than Fiction, right?) Yes, yes I did, but in nothing else. The man isn't funny. He just has good PR and one heck of a support-in-crowd. Stranger Than Fiction was NOT his usual goofy comedic attempt at comedy. It was more of a lite-drama. Very good.
Okay, Show Time: Hey, this is a very good story, not a comedy although some may find some stuff not intended to be funny to be funny as there is no accounting for peoples' taste in comedy.
Everything is well acted, no goofiness or over-the-top slap-stick (well done like in Stranger than Fiction, right?) Yes, like that. I think Robin Williams must have gotten to Ferrell and told him to do some drama as it will extend his playing time. Whatever the case, it worked. Will Ferrell is a good dramatic actor and I'm thinking we will see more of this side of him. Of course, he will continue to do the goofy, silly and stupid movies, but don't watch them.
This is slow moving, but you find yourself caring for Nick and he seems to be handling things pretty good ..so far but, we are wary that he might go off the deep end in time. You know, the calm before the storm kind of thing. So we watch with our fingers crossed. Hey, we have questions: Will Nick be okay? Will the wife come back? Will he sell everything on the lawn? Will he be hit with divorce papers? Will he ever get into the house? Will we ever see the wife?
There is a slight twist in here and it explains many things.
The supporting cast was simply great and a good reason everything worked so well. Looking back on everything, I'd say it was pretty good.
Violence: No. Sex: Yes, when Nick looks into the neighbor's window. Nudity: No. Language: Yes,
Sold
StevePulaski29 September 2011
Everything Must Go is probably Will Ferrell's first truly well done film in years. The Other Guys was pretty good, Step Brothers was funny in parts, but this one totally takes the cake for being a great drama, and schools anyone who thinks Will Ferrell can't do anything but comedy. Though I doubt fans of Old School will think highly of this.
The plot isn't too much, but it sustains a film. Will Ferrell is Nick Halsey, an alcoholic who has had one too many alcohol-related episodes and has finally lost his job. He returns home to find out his wife has changed all the locks on the house, and has moved all of his belongings to the front yard. Frustrated and hopeless, he decides to life on his front lawn, and make the best out of a horrible situation.
He spends his day sucking down Blue Ribbons beers, until he is met by a chubby adolescent named Kenny (Christopher Jordan Wallace, the son of the late rapper Notorious B.I.G.). Kenny's mom takes care of an elderly woman, leaving him free to roam the streets on his bike. Kenny and Nick strike up an odd, but warm relationship with each other and when Nick is informed by his AA sponsor (Pena) that he must move all his stuff off his lawn in three days, he works with Kenny to help them hold a big yard sale.
A sub-plot involves Nick getting acquainted with the woman across the street who has just moved to the neighborhood and is awaiting her husband's arrival. The relationship isn't as strong or as well-crafted as the relationship between Nick and Kenny, but it is still a solid one.
It's also noteworthy that we never see Nick's wife or the woman's husband anywhere in the film. We don't need to, though. The plot works fine without them, and I believe that if we saw Nick's wife in the film we'd get too many arguments between the two which may result in (a) believability being low and (b) a possibility for Ferrell's comedy side to sneak in. We don't need comedy here. We get it, but in tiny, miniscule doses. There is almost nothing funny about this situation.
Once again, this proves that Will Ferrell is a great character actor, and doesn't have to get drunk, shout his lines, or get in goofy fights to be successful. Unfortunately, Everything Must Go's overall performance wasn't impressive, and it may be a long time before Ferrell does something like this ever again.
Not everything here is perfect. The worst flaw is the ending because there is no emotional payoff, and nothing to make our experience anymore than just enjoyable. I wanted more than enjoyable. I haven't read the short story "Why Don't You Dance?" by Raymond Carver, so I'm not sure of any similarities both this and the story share. Everything Must Go is a good film in general, but a great film in terms of Ferrell, who is essentially putting on a one-man-show for more than half the film.
Starring: Will Ferrell, Christopher Jordan Wallace, Laura Dern, and Michael Pena. Directed by: Dan Rush.
The plot isn't too much, but it sustains a film. Will Ferrell is Nick Halsey, an alcoholic who has had one too many alcohol-related episodes and has finally lost his job. He returns home to find out his wife has changed all the locks on the house, and has moved all of his belongings to the front yard. Frustrated and hopeless, he decides to life on his front lawn, and make the best out of a horrible situation.
He spends his day sucking down Blue Ribbons beers, until he is met by a chubby adolescent named Kenny (Christopher Jordan Wallace, the son of the late rapper Notorious B.I.G.). Kenny's mom takes care of an elderly woman, leaving him free to roam the streets on his bike. Kenny and Nick strike up an odd, but warm relationship with each other and when Nick is informed by his AA sponsor (Pena) that he must move all his stuff off his lawn in three days, he works with Kenny to help them hold a big yard sale.
A sub-plot involves Nick getting acquainted with the woman across the street who has just moved to the neighborhood and is awaiting her husband's arrival. The relationship isn't as strong or as well-crafted as the relationship between Nick and Kenny, but it is still a solid one.
It's also noteworthy that we never see Nick's wife or the woman's husband anywhere in the film. We don't need to, though. The plot works fine without them, and I believe that if we saw Nick's wife in the film we'd get too many arguments between the two which may result in (a) believability being low and (b) a possibility for Ferrell's comedy side to sneak in. We don't need comedy here. We get it, but in tiny, miniscule doses. There is almost nothing funny about this situation.
Once again, this proves that Will Ferrell is a great character actor, and doesn't have to get drunk, shout his lines, or get in goofy fights to be successful. Unfortunately, Everything Must Go's overall performance wasn't impressive, and it may be a long time before Ferrell does something like this ever again.
Not everything here is perfect. The worst flaw is the ending because there is no emotional payoff, and nothing to make our experience anymore than just enjoyable. I wanted more than enjoyable. I haven't read the short story "Why Don't You Dance?" by Raymond Carver, so I'm not sure of any similarities both this and the story share. Everything Must Go is a good film in general, but a great film in terms of Ferrell, who is essentially putting on a one-man-show for more than half the film.
Starring: Will Ferrell, Christopher Jordan Wallace, Laura Dern, and Michael Pena. Directed by: Dan Rush.
Know what you're getting from a film
bowmanblue25 May 2014
'Everything Must Go' will never be a commercial success. At best, it's going to be one of those films that will find its market several years from when it was first released.
For a start, it has Will Ferrell as the leading man - an actor constantly linked with madcap, silly throwaway comedies. Secondly, and if you've seen the trailer you'll know what I mean, it's sold as a 'comedy.' It's not. It's a melodrama. And, possibly worse still, it's very sad.
Will Ferrell plays Nick Halsey - an alcoholic who, on the same day, gets fired and finds out his wife is leaving him by returning home to find she has thrown all his possessions out onto the front lawn. And that's that really. There's not much of a plot/story to it. Another thing you should know is that the film doesn't really move from there - the whole ninety minutes is spent on Ferrell's front/rear lawn (and a lot of people seem to have critisised it for this).
What little story there is, centres on themes rather than moving the script along. It deals with loss and hope. If you've ever been made redundant, you may well empathise with Ferrell who has to endure the feeling of being thrown on the scrapheap just when you really didn't need it. He accurately portrays a real sense of emptiness, confused hostility to people who, under normal circumstances, he wouldn't treat like that. Plus the hope that his wife may come back. He doesn't know what's what and is in the dark.
If you're looking for a deeper (laugh-free!) movie, you may get something out of this. However, if you're expecting some sort of 'Anchorman II' laugh-a-minute flick, you may feel slightly cheated.
http://thewrongtreemoviereviews.blogspot.co.uk/
For a start, it has Will Ferrell as the leading man - an actor constantly linked with madcap, silly throwaway comedies. Secondly, and if you've seen the trailer you'll know what I mean, it's sold as a 'comedy.' It's not. It's a melodrama. And, possibly worse still, it's very sad.
Will Ferrell plays Nick Halsey - an alcoholic who, on the same day, gets fired and finds out his wife is leaving him by returning home to find she has thrown all his possessions out onto the front lawn. And that's that really. There's not much of a plot/story to it. Another thing you should know is that the film doesn't really move from there - the whole ninety minutes is spent on Ferrell's front/rear lawn (and a lot of people seem to have critisised it for this).
What little story there is, centres on themes rather than moving the script along. It deals with loss and hope. If you've ever been made redundant, you may well empathise with Ferrell who has to endure the feeling of being thrown on the scrapheap just when you really didn't need it. He accurately portrays a real sense of emptiness, confused hostility to people who, under normal circumstances, he wouldn't treat like that. Plus the hope that his wife may come back. He doesn't know what's what and is in the dark.
If you're looking for a deeper (laugh-free!) movie, you may get something out of this. However, if you're expecting some sort of 'Anchorman II' laugh-a-minute flick, you may feel slightly cheated.
http://thewrongtreemoviereviews.blogspot.co.uk/
Flat, Plain Flat
Mr_Sensitive16 October 2011
For the past couple of week I was lucky enough to be able to choose the right (the good) movie to watch, my expectation was high for this week. Well, I guess my good run end with this movie. It not that bad but I find it utterly pointless movie.
Story of a man having a bad days, first he got fired from his job, then got thrown out of his house, his wife deactivate his bank account. All he has left is his old belonging that was thrown out into the front lawn. So like the name of the movie have already imply - it is about letting go of everything and start a new life
The story is nothing new, in fact it is so old it was too predictable. The sad part was it doesn't really get any better than what you had already seen. What I hate about it was it also very depressing and a very (too) typical Hollywood low budget Black Comedy Drama.
I didn't quite enjoy the movie at all. The casting of Will might be the best move the director for this movie. Without Will this would have been straight to VDO store and maybe left there totally untouched.
The good thing about this movie is – I will likely don't remember I have even watched it in a week time. There really is nothing to hold on to this movie, no scene to think of, and no gimmick. It was flat from the start to the very end.
Recommendation: I can't really recommend this to anyone. It was just flat.
Rating: 3/10 (Grade: F)
Story of a man having a bad days, first he got fired from his job, then got thrown out of his house, his wife deactivate his bank account. All he has left is his old belonging that was thrown out into the front lawn. So like the name of the movie have already imply - it is about letting go of everything and start a new life
The story is nothing new, in fact it is so old it was too predictable. The sad part was it doesn't really get any better than what you had already seen. What I hate about it was it also very depressing and a very (too) typical Hollywood low budget Black Comedy Drama.
I didn't quite enjoy the movie at all. The casting of Will might be the best move the director for this movie. Without Will this would have been straight to VDO store and maybe left there totally untouched.
The good thing about this movie is – I will likely don't remember I have even watched it in a week time. There really is nothing to hold on to this movie, no scene to think of, and no gimmick. It was flat from the start to the very end.
Recommendation: I can't really recommend this to anyone. It was just flat.
Rating: 3/10 (Grade: F)
Will Ferrell like you've never seen him before: Not kicking or screaming
estebangonzalez1025 October 2011
¨Do you know what the rate of success is for marriage when one person sobers up, but the other one doesn't?¨
Will Ferrell stars in this fantastic comedy slash drama, but this isn't the typical Ferrell comedy where we see him screaming all over the screen. This time he plays a quiet and sad alcoholic, and it's perhaps one of his best performances to date. Everything Must Go was a really pleasant surprise for me; it reminded me a lot of 2008's film The Visitor starring Richard Jenkins. Will Ferrell gives a very similar and quiet performance. Nothing really happens in the movie, but it's the relationship between the characters that carries the film to a higher ground. This is Dan Rush's first film as a director, and he really hits a home run with his debut film. He also adapted the screenplay from Raymond Carver's short story ¨Why Don't You Dance.¨ The dialogue in this movie is just great, and it really feels authentic. The actors also do a great job with the pauses; everything about this movie makes it fresh. The film is rather slow paced and focuses more on the drama and interactions between characters who end up bonding in unexpected ways. It also has very funny moments; although not the laugh out loud kind of humor, but more of a put a grind on your face kind of comedy. I didn't know Ferrell had it in him to give a performance of this caliber without relying on his usual loud mouth role. This is the sort of guy we can identify with, and whose life seems to be unraveling right in front of us. So much potential gone down the drain due to a small mistake.
Will Ferrell plays a Sales Executive named Nick Halsey who at the beginning of the film is being fired from his job due to his problems with alcohol. He was a great worker, and seemed to be recovering from his drinking problem, but recently had a relapse when he traveled to Denver and decided to have a few drinks to celebrate an important sale. Word got out to the office in Arizona and they decided it was time to let Nick go. Without a job, now Nick arrives home only to discover that all his things are laying in the front yard of his house and his wife has changed the locks of the doors. Apparently in Denver he also slept with another woman and now his wife has kicked him out of the house. Nick decides to stay in his front yard sitting on his reclining chair and has no intention of moving out. Someone makes a complain and the police come to arrest him for disturbing the peace in the neighborhood, but his friend, Detective Frank Garcia (Michael Peña), gets him a permit to stay in his front lawn for five days with the excuse that he is having a garage sale. During these days he befriends a young boy named Kenny (Christopher Jordan Wallace) who practically spends all day on his own. Nick hires him to help out with the sale and during that time they become friends. Nick teaches Kenny a thing or two about baseball. A new neighbor also has recently moved in the house in front of Nick's; she introduces herself as Samantha (Rebecca Hall) and says she's expecting a baby girl in a couple of months. Nick opens up to her about his problems and they being an interesting friendship.
Everything Must Go is a really interesting small film that will surely put a smile on your face as we see these authentic interactions between characters that probably under normal circumstances never would've befriended each other. The thing I enjoyed the most about this film was the realistic way in which each of these characters was portrayed; and the way the actors played them. Will Ferrell, Christopher Wallace, and Rebecca Hall (who I first came to love in Ben Affleck's flick The Town) all give great performances and the success of the film relies entirely on them. The movie isn't deep, it doesn't try to be preachy either; it just focuses on these small relationships and lets us now that it's never too late to start again. Will Ferrell should continue to accept interesting projects like this so he can prove that he is more than a one dimensional actor. I love his comedies, like Talladega Nights and Ron Burgundy, but it is great to see him in different roles as well proving he can be a serious actor as well. Director, Dan Rush took a huge risk by giving him the lead role, but the gamble paid off because he fit the role perfectly. This is a different kind of film, but I absolutely recommend it. I loved it.
http://estebueno10.blogspot.com/
Will Ferrell stars in this fantastic comedy slash drama, but this isn't the typical Ferrell comedy where we see him screaming all over the screen. This time he plays a quiet and sad alcoholic, and it's perhaps one of his best performances to date. Everything Must Go was a really pleasant surprise for me; it reminded me a lot of 2008's film The Visitor starring Richard Jenkins. Will Ferrell gives a very similar and quiet performance. Nothing really happens in the movie, but it's the relationship between the characters that carries the film to a higher ground. This is Dan Rush's first film as a director, and he really hits a home run with his debut film. He also adapted the screenplay from Raymond Carver's short story ¨Why Don't You Dance.¨ The dialogue in this movie is just great, and it really feels authentic. The actors also do a great job with the pauses; everything about this movie makes it fresh. The film is rather slow paced and focuses more on the drama and interactions between characters who end up bonding in unexpected ways. It also has very funny moments; although not the laugh out loud kind of humor, but more of a put a grind on your face kind of comedy. I didn't know Ferrell had it in him to give a performance of this caliber without relying on his usual loud mouth role. This is the sort of guy we can identify with, and whose life seems to be unraveling right in front of us. So much potential gone down the drain due to a small mistake.
Will Ferrell plays a Sales Executive named Nick Halsey who at the beginning of the film is being fired from his job due to his problems with alcohol. He was a great worker, and seemed to be recovering from his drinking problem, but recently had a relapse when he traveled to Denver and decided to have a few drinks to celebrate an important sale. Word got out to the office in Arizona and they decided it was time to let Nick go. Without a job, now Nick arrives home only to discover that all his things are laying in the front yard of his house and his wife has changed the locks of the doors. Apparently in Denver he also slept with another woman and now his wife has kicked him out of the house. Nick decides to stay in his front yard sitting on his reclining chair and has no intention of moving out. Someone makes a complain and the police come to arrest him for disturbing the peace in the neighborhood, but his friend, Detective Frank Garcia (Michael Peña), gets him a permit to stay in his front lawn for five days with the excuse that he is having a garage sale. During these days he befriends a young boy named Kenny (Christopher Jordan Wallace) who practically spends all day on his own. Nick hires him to help out with the sale and during that time they become friends. Nick teaches Kenny a thing or two about baseball. A new neighbor also has recently moved in the house in front of Nick's; she introduces herself as Samantha (Rebecca Hall) and says she's expecting a baby girl in a couple of months. Nick opens up to her about his problems and they being an interesting friendship.
Everything Must Go is a really interesting small film that will surely put a smile on your face as we see these authentic interactions between characters that probably under normal circumstances never would've befriended each other. The thing I enjoyed the most about this film was the realistic way in which each of these characters was portrayed; and the way the actors played them. Will Ferrell, Christopher Wallace, and Rebecca Hall (who I first came to love in Ben Affleck's flick The Town) all give great performances and the success of the film relies entirely on them. The movie isn't deep, it doesn't try to be preachy either; it just focuses on these small relationships and lets us now that it's never too late to start again. Will Ferrell should continue to accept interesting projects like this so he can prove that he is more than a one dimensional actor. I love his comedies, like Talladega Nights and Ron Burgundy, but it is great to see him in different roles as well proving he can be a serious actor as well. Director, Dan Rush took a huge risk by giving him the lead role, but the gamble paid off because he fit the role perfectly. This is a different kind of film, but I absolutely recommend it. I loved it.
http://estebueno10.blogspot.com/
Great acting, good production
sakiververis24 February 2012
If you ever wanted to see Will Ferrell reprise his role as Mugato then this is the movie for you! ...Nah, just kidding. This is the most straight role I've seen WF in, but it was still funny, kind of in the same way as those short youtube videos he did with the little girl playing the landlord, except way more dry. My only complaint is that it would have been fun to see more Glenn Howerton, who had a couple great scenes, and for all the artistic merit the anticlimactic ending may have had it would have been way more satisfying- -from an entertainment perspective--to see an ultimate redemption; I'm a closet escapist and yes I know it's what makes movies soulless but it also makes them rewatchable.
A great performance, I just wish that saved the movie.
Christian_Dimartino21 October 2011
Warning: Spoilers
Robin Williams and Jim Carrey are two perfect examples of actors with variety. Actors who are willing to try something new. Williams did it with Dead Poets society, and Carrey did it with The Truman Show, two excellent films. There are other examples, but recently Will Ferrell has gone into that territory, and done very well.
Ferrell has had good times(Anchorman) and bad(Land of the Lost), but people under estimate him as an actor. A lot of people probably didn't see Stranger than Fiction. Well, I did, and it was awesome, and until Ferrell's latest, Everything must go, it was his best performance.
Ferrell plays a guy who is having the worst three days of his life. He's recently been let go from his job, his wife left him, threw all of his stuff out, changed the locks, his car has been taken back, with items in it, and he has to live outside of his house. But he has to move everything off of the property, including himself, in three days, otherwise he goes to jail.
Ferrell's performance is absolutely terrific, and I would say that he should get an Oscar nod. But one great performance can't support a movie, especially one that is so down in the dumps you don't know whether to kill yourself or just turn it off.
I don't leave or stop watching movies. I just don't. And Everything must go isn't that bad that you have to turn it off. It's just so depressing. From start to finish, and it never really redeems itself either. It just sits there, depressing you for an hour and a half.
Even the moments that are supposed to be happy end up turning out, well, not very well. And the whole time you feel depressed, until the twist, which makes the film pointless. I just found the film to be a big disappointment in the conclusion.
So, in short, I didn't like the film. But Ferrell deserves all of the credit. Without him, Everything must go could've been a disaster. I know a lot of critics liked it and that everybody will disagree with me, but its my opinion and i'm sticking by it. Overall: Great performance, bad movie.
C+
Ferrell has had good times(Anchorman) and bad(Land of the Lost), but people under estimate him as an actor. A lot of people probably didn't see Stranger than Fiction. Well, I did, and it was awesome, and until Ferrell's latest, Everything must go, it was his best performance.
Ferrell plays a guy who is having the worst three days of his life. He's recently been let go from his job, his wife left him, threw all of his stuff out, changed the locks, his car has been taken back, with items in it, and he has to live outside of his house. But he has to move everything off of the property, including himself, in three days, otherwise he goes to jail.
Ferrell's performance is absolutely terrific, and I would say that he should get an Oscar nod. But one great performance can't support a movie, especially one that is so down in the dumps you don't know whether to kill yourself or just turn it off.
I don't leave or stop watching movies. I just don't. And Everything must go isn't that bad that you have to turn it off. It's just so depressing. From start to finish, and it never really redeems itself either. It just sits there, depressing you for an hour and a half.
Even the moments that are supposed to be happy end up turning out, well, not very well. And the whole time you feel depressed, until the twist, which makes the film pointless. I just found the film to be a big disappointment in the conclusion.
So, in short, I didn't like the film. But Ferrell deserves all of the credit. Without him, Everything must go could've been a disaster. I know a lot of critics liked it and that everybody will disagree with me, but its my opinion and i'm sticking by it. Overall: Great performance, bad movie.
C+
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