Everything Must Go 2011

Nate H. reviewed Everything Must Go (2011)

Ferrell Shows He Can Act With The Best of Them

Will Ferrell is not at the top of anyone’s list when they name off the top dramatic actors of any generation. But in Everything Must Go, he takes a drastic turn from his normal ridiculous comedic roles and shows us all that he has acting chops on par with the best. Ferrell’s character has one of the worst days ever. He is fired from his job due to his drinking problem and comes home to find his wife has left, leaving all his things on the lawn and changing the locks on the house. His reaction is basically a non-reaction, choosing to camp out amongst his stuff on the front lawn. Throughout the next days he befriends a neighborhood kid played by CJ Wallace (son of the late Notorious BIG) who is equally impressive as a the optimistic yin to Ferrell’s uninspired yang; and becomes focused on a new neighbor lady (Rebecca Hall) who may or may not have problems or her own. You expect to see Frank the Tank at some point when you hear Ferrell is playing a drunk; but instead he delivers a subtle, heart wrenching offering that impresses greatly. That said, a shift in tone in the film’s third act holds it back from being fantastic, but still very good nonetheless.