Jan Wahl Movie Review: 'Everything Must Go'
(KCBS) - KCBS Entertainment Editor Jan Wahl reviews Everything Must Go, a drama about an alcoholic starring Will Ferrell.
EVERYTHING MUST GO (R)
The sage philosophy is "tragedy plus timing equals comedy." Another sage, Billy Wilder, believed comedy was best when played for truth. Both lead to Will Ferrell, following in the steps of Robin Williams, Jim Carrey, Greg Kinnear and other fine actors who came from comedy. In this drama, Ferrell plays a guy who is quickly losing it all..in the throws of incomprehensible demoralization as he begins the long road to his alcoholic bottom. It's not giving away the film to say he lost his home, wife, job..ending up living on his front lawn and trying to sell what's left of his life. The bad news is that it's paced in a plodding, repetitive way and, as someone who gives lectures on drugs and alcohol in the movies, his alcoholism in this movie keeps us at a distance rather than bring us close to his very troubled soul. The good news is that he is a very good, actor, who makes the drama work. Two and a half hats..and a special hats off to Will Ferrell.
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POTICHE
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