Everything Must Go

Rated: R

          I don’t really remember when I first saw this movie, but I’m pretty sure I rented it from somewhere (which of course means it was a good long while ago). I had already seen Stranger than Fiction, so I knew that Will Ferrell could play more serious roles, while still being funny. He’s one of my favorite actors, but he’s (obviously) known for his more slapstick and silly roles. I’ve actually found that there are many people out there that don’t like him or his movies. I have actors I don’t like too, but in this case most of the people I know who think that just don’t have any sort of sense of humor. When watching most Will Ferrell movies the best thing is to make sure you’re in the right mood. In most cases (such as Semi-Pro, Land of the Lost, Step Brothers, etc) it’s best to be in the mood to watch something light hearted, ridiculous and just plain silly. If you’re not in that mindset it’s way too easy to become annoyed with all of the pointless nonsense that these movies contain.
 
        On the flip side of Ferrell’s usual characters are the ones he plays
in Stranger than Fiction, The Lego Movie (oddly enough), Winter Passing and Everything Must Go. The characters he plays in these movies are more serious, emotionally deep and far more complex. While these types of roles aren’t typical for Ferrell, I’m grateful that he did them. If anyone else played these roles I just don’t think the movies would be as good as they are. He proves with these roles that there’s far more to him than just comedy, and that although they aren’t his typical style, he can knock it out of the park no matter how serious the character he’s playing might be. 
 
        
Everything Must Go is a story of the resilience of the human spirit. Nick Halsey had it all: a top-notch sales job, a beautiful wife, a gorgeous house in the Arizona suburbs and plenty of cash. Unfortunately for Nick he loses it all in one swoop after he falls off the wagon while on a business trip. Now he has no job, no car, no home and no wife…not to mention that everything he owns has been thrown on the front lawn. Nick soon realizes that picking himself up isn’t as easy as it sounds, but hopefully, with the aid of a couple of his neighbors, he’ll make it through all of this.
 
        
Everything Must Go is a funny, oddly touching, inspirational and heartfelt story. Unlike most of the other characters Ferrell has played over the years, you’ll find that by the end of this movie you truly care about what has happened to Nick and honestly hope that he’ll be ok. I’m not usually one to enjoy such heartwarming movies because I find them too predictable and cliché, but when they’re done well, as in the case of Everything Must Go, it doesn’t matter to me how heartwarming they are…a good movie’s a good movie!
 
         And so to all you Will Ferrell haters out there, I suggest that you see either
Stranger Than Fiction or Everything Must Go. He proves in these roles that he’s not just a one hit wonder and that he has a far broader range than he’s given credit for. The same suggestion goes to all of you that like Will Ferrell for his more comedic and silly roles. If you’re one that truly despises Will Ferrell, I’m not sure either of these two movies will change your mind, but perhaps you should give it a shot anyways, because it’s always a good idea to expand your horizons.

               
Everything Must Go is rated R, was written and directed by Dan Rush and stars Will Ferrell and Christopher Jordan Wallace. Its available now on Blu Ray, DVD and digital download.