It Sure Is Nice to Have Ben Stiller Back

As a fan who’s witnessed David Gordon Green’s cinematic journey from indie darling to horror maestro and back again, I must say that “Nutcrackers” feels like a delightful homecoming for the director. It’s a testament to his versatility as a filmmaker, weaving together elements of his past works in a unique and refreshing way.

Last time we encountered David Gordon Green, he was engulfed in the chaos of a cursed “Exorcist” sequel, following a series of intriguing but inconsistent “Halloween” movies. At the Toronto Film Festival premiere of his new comedy “Nutcrackers,” the director openly acknowledged that the gloominess of four horror films had taken its toll on him; he expressed that “Nutcrackers,” with Ben Stiller in the lead, was a venture to create “a film without bitterness and malice.” Indeed, he has achieved this, yet in an unusual manner, “Nutcrackers” seems to blend elements from his past works, forming a composite of different stages in Green’s career.

One might ponder if the charm and allure of the Nutcracker productions could have enticed Stiller back into acting prominently, as he hasn’t taken on many major roles since 2017, with Brad’s Status and The Meyerowitz Stories being his most recent notable performances. In this new role, he portrays Michael Maxwell, a Chicago real-estate tycoon who journeys to rural Ohio in his distinctive yellow Ferrari, only to find himself responsible for his four unruly nephews, left orphaned on a run-down farm following the deaths of Michael’s sister and her spouse.

As a cinephile, I found myself utterly captivated by the raw, untamed performances of four real-life brothers – Homer, Ulysses, Arlo, and Atlas Janson – who portray the unschooled kids in this film. Hailing from rural Ohio, these vibrant, untrained actors apparently sparked Green’s creative vision for the project. The kids are quiet and make do with an unconventional diet of ramen blocks, cheese puffs drenched in ketchup, popsicles, and mysterious dippings. Their world revolves around a farm teeming with cats, dogs, pigs, guinea pigs, snakes, and chickens that scuttle in and out of their dilapidated abode. Despite the comedic tone of Nutcrackers, moments like Michael’s encounter with a mute nephew donning a giant rabbit mask or his chase after a chicken brandishing a large knife while the kids cheer, “Pluck it, cook it, put it in a pot!” serve as stark reminders that this film may not be so far removed from Green’s unique foray into horror.

Michael, a diligent city dweller who’s only staying in Ohio temporarily, is looking after some kids for a while until a new foster home is found for them. The local children’s services representative (played by Linda Cardellini) is arranging this. Adam Sandler, known for portraying ordinary guys who often act foolishly, gives an appropriate blend of everyday decency and calculated indifference in his role; this isn’t one of his most iconic performances, but it’s great to have him back. Despite growing attached to the children, Michael speeds up his search for a foster home, never considering the possibility of caring for them himself. “I guess Mom was right about you,” says one of the kids. “What did she say?” Michael asks. “She said you couldn’t love.” Indeed, that’s something you can say to a Ben Stiller character – he won’t argue, and remains one of American cinema’s most amusing targets of ridicule and mistreatment.

In a unique and unconventional manner, the storyline of Nutcrackers may appear to be painfully predictable to some viewers. However, director David Gordon Green’s touch transforms the narrative, making it seem as if the movie has momentarily slipped out of reality. Despite his career taking unexpected turns since his debut with low-key indie dramas like George Washington (2000) and All the Real Girls (2003), Green has consistently maintained an improvisatory style, evident in films such as Pineapple Express, light-hearted indie comedies like Prince Avalanche, and even the enigmatic and meandering Halloween Ends. His knack for injecting conventional material with a dash of formal and emotional chaos leaves us questioning if we’ve just entered an alternate world. Furthermore, Green has a remarkable talent for capturing the extraordinary in ordinary faces – real people – which sets his work apart from mere storytelling, providing a deeper exploration of characters and their experiences. Despite the recognizable structure of Nutcrackers, its underlying inspirations and interests reveal its rebellious, independent character. This film feels like both a recapitulation and a return for this most eccentric and American of directors.

2024-09-06 17:54

It Sure Is Nice to Have Ben Stiller Back

Read More

Minority Mindset