Everything Must Go is a Will Ferrell vehicle that allows him to give a more dramatic performance than he is often able to offer. Directed by Dan Rush, who also adapted the Raymond Carver short story for the film, does a terrific job of blending comedy and drama. It’s a film where it would be easy to let Ferrell go absurd to push the comedy, but instead is a controlled performance that insert humor in a very human way.
Everything Must Go is a film worth watching
Nick Halsey (Will Ferrell) may be having the worst day of his life after being fired and coming home to his belongings in his yard and the locks changed. Nick is a recovering alcoholic who has fallen back into old habits. Rather than leave he decides to stay on his lawn, but he only has five days to make a decision before he’ll be removed from the property.
The story is very grounded and relatable. He is an addict who clearly struggles to keep his demons at bay and has lost everything as a result. His wife has left him, his job lost all because he has to drink. His sponsor, Detective Frank Garcia (Michael Peña), gives him the information about the five day yard sale law to give him a chance to make some decisions. Ferrell does an excellent portraying this man’s dilemma and the struggles he is dealing with.
The relationship he develops with his young neighbor, Kenny (Christopher Jordan Wallace) is an emotional back-bone that shows the good heart inside Nick’s chest. His new neighbor Samantha (Rebecca Hall) is a sign of hope that Nick may be able to come out of this funk. The performances and connections made are great and really help to build a solid redemption story.
Final Thoughts
I’d been meaning to watch this for a while, but just never made the effort. I came across it this morning on Showtime and was hooked instantly. It may be one of Will Ferrell’s best performances and one that could pull any haters onto his side. Everything Must Go earns the Not Quite Golden, Ponyboy rating.
Berkreviews.com 