I thought Everything Must Go might be an interesting, campy film featuring the offbeat humor of talented actor Will Ferrell. The concept is decent. It is based on a short story and didn't feel substantive enough to have been converted into a feature film. I was left feeling cheated.
Nick Halsey (Ferrell) has hit a rough patch. A drunken night during a business trip to Denver has cost him his job. Losing his job has cost him his marriage. After being told he has lost his job, Nick stops for beer on his way home. He arrives at his house to find everything he owns on his front lawn. The effects of Nick's drinking are clear to everyone around him. If not, they certainly come into focus when he simply begins to camp out amidst his belongings on his front lawn.
When neighbors complain to police about Nick's yard, he avoids going to jail by calling a Detective who is also his AA sponsor. Nick buys three more days to pull himself together under the guise of holding a yard sale. He is assisted in the endeavor by a neighborhood boy, Kenny (Christopher Jordan Wallace). The match seems to work as the two appear to be good for each other. Nick slowly comes to grips with his situation which is even more convoluted than it first appears. We are left wondering at Nick's choices as the screen begins rolling credits.
The premise of an alcoholic living on his own front lawn after getting thrown out of his own house creates great possibilities. Some of those possibilities are explored in Everything Must Go. While the film had strong character development, it didn't necessarily have character continuity. I did not feel that a couple of the characters were consistent. I also never felt a closeness to the characters that allowed me to care about the outcome of the film. I guess that is good, since there really isn't an outcome. This is one of those frustrating stories that has an open ending. While the dialogue and situation were often interesting, the context left a lot to be desired.
I like Will Ferrell most of the time, although I get tired of his shtick once in a while. This film was an interesting use of his talent, since it was not intended as a comedy. Because Ferrell possesses a straight man type of humor, he worked in this role. However, the role was tedious at times and just not funny nor dramatic. It was pitiful. I think Ferrell's considerable talent may have been wasted on this film. While the film had an admirable cast, it focuses primarily on Ferrell, who does not deliver enough to save this film.
Everything Must Go was rated R by the MPAA. The rating is based on adult themes, alcohol consumption and some sexual situations. Teen audiences and above would likely be fine for this film, but don't waste your time. It's just not that good. The five million dollar budget barely recovered half of its investment in the US market. Not surprising. The film has a run time of one hour, 37 minutes.
I am on the fence about recommending or not recommending this film. I am dead even on this one, which creates a tough position for me. I normally give a movie the benefit of the doubt when I am on the fence. However, I really can't stomach recommending this film to a friend. In reality, I would advise them to go watch something else. The concept alone cannot save this film. The lack of continuity, the tedium and the open ending all created enough frustration that I will withhold my recommendation. 5/10.
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