Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Everything Must Go is a 2011 comedy-drama directed by Dan Rush. Nick Halsey, played by Will Ferrell, comes home after being fired from his job to find that his wife has left him and placed all of his belongings on their front lawn. She's changed the locks, vacated the home, and has frozen his access to their bank account. With no car and no money, Nick opts to live with his belongings in the yard. The film follows his interactions with new friends and neighbors as he works his way through life as rock-bottom alcoholic. I'm not a fan of Will Ferrell. I've seen a handful of his films and have chuckled here and there, but I'm not really into his style of humor. I've incrementally moved further away from him with every comedy he's made because of the repetition. It's disappointing to watch actors get locked into tried-and-true roles and I think Ferrell has most definitely bowed to these demons. So, when I heard he went after a project like this, I had to support the effort. It's exciting to watch funny folk swim to the deeper end of the pool and I think he performed wonderfully. I've read through most of the negative reviews garnered by this film and I suspect most people are upset that the Will Ferrell they're used to didn't show up for Everything Must Go. Which is sad but not surprising. I think he's amassed a fan base that doesn't particularly care for nor desire any growth in this actor. He's the funny man. Funny man need only be funny. Everything Must Go isn't funny but there is humor, albeit a bit darker than his followers were likely prepared for. I don't think this movie is genius but it is a bit cunning and that's enough for me. The acting was precise and my mood shifted softly along here and there when and where intended. I'm glad I got involved. I have in my library a small stack of films set aside as a homage to comedians that tried something different and won. People like Jim Carrey in, "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind", Adam Sandler in, "Punch Drunk Love", and especially Marlon Wayans in, "Requiem for a Dream". Will Ferrell's, "Everything Must Go" should fit right in, here. Thanks for your time. - t