Everything Must Go review

Nick Halsey: You know they say that the dining room is the least utilized room in the house? I think it's the front lawn. It's starting to look good, don't you think? 

Director: Dan Rush
(2010)

There’s something so very interesting about comedy actors out of their depth playing characters in serious roles. Jim Carrey in Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind, Marlon Wayans in Requiem for a dream and will Ferrell in the surprisingly good Stranger than fiction. Ferrell is at it again here in ‘Everything must go’ a drama about relapsing alcoholic Nick Halsey. His addiction causes him to lose his job, his wife and his home, with his belongings strewn on the front lawn. With nowhere to go as living on his own front lawn is illegal, cop friend Frank Garcia (Michael Pena) says he can circumvent this law by holding a yard sale for his possessions. He complies, hoping to make a fresh start with the funds that he’ll raise.

The undoubted highlight of everything must go is Farrell’s performance. He’s subtle, yet surprisingly effective, considering his relative inexperience in dramatic roles. Nick is a shell of a man who puts on a brave face, but is being eaten away from the inside by his uncontrollable alcoholism. The remainder of the cast is solid as well; with Rebecca Hall as new neighbour Samantha also putting in a good turn. Both are supported by some well written dialogue.

The plot of everything must go is an intriguing one, but unfortunately it doesn’t deliver. Even though it is a relatively short film, things are stretched out stretched out, making it feel very thin. Events are made worse with a bevy of plot arcs that are explored for a few minutes and then left unresolved for the rest of the film. Furthermore, despite its tone, the film comes across emotionally hollow as well. Farell and Hall make as many scenes as they can work and connect with the viewer, but only so much can be done to support empty writing. For a film about the negative effects of alcohol, this is a severely missed opportunity.

It’s not that everything must go is a bad film; it’s just that it feels like a waste of a very good idea. Will Farell is capable of putting in some good, serious performances, but is powerless to do anything with a sterile script that does little to fill the films running time with worthwhile substance.

5