Everything Must Go

Stars: Will Ferrell, Rebecca Hall, Christopher Jordan Wallace, Laura Dern, Michael PeÃ±a, Stephen Root, Rosalie Michaels

Director: Dan Rush

Fans of Ferrell's anarchic comedy style should be warned that this is their hero in more dramatic vein. He plays Nick, an alcoholic sales executive who finds himself fired the same day his wife (whom we never see) leaves him and dumps all his possessions on the front lawn. She also changes the locks, puts a stop on their joint account and credit cards and sues for divorce.

Advised by a neighbourhood cop (PeÃ±a) to get his house in order inside a week, Nick befriends a local kid (Wallace), who runs his errands after his car is repossessed, and puts up signs when Nick decides to sell all his possessions, all the while consoling himself with yet another can of beer.

There's a newly-arrived pregnant neighbour (Hall) and a re-acquaintance with an old college sweetheart (Dern). But nothing that looks likely to turn Nick's life around...especially when the booze and Nick's cash run out.

Although this isn't a comedy, it does have a few smiles and lighter moments, and a happier last reel when Nick and the kid make a concerted effort to raise real cash from their yard sale. The film takes its time, but performances are all pretty good, and enough happens to stifle the occasional yawn. Worth a look, then, but don't expect an emotive masterpiece.

David Quinlan

Canada 2011. UK Distributor: G2 Pictures. Colour by deluxe.
96 minutes. Not widescreen. UK certificate: 12A.

Guidance ratings (out of 3): Sex/nudity 1, Violence/Horror 0, Drugs 0, Swearing 1.

Review date: 15 Oct 2011