The Meyerowitz Stories starts with a critique of Manhattan's constantly changing architectural landscape that has very much to do with why Adam Sandler's character is unable to find a parking spot. Unable to critique his own life, which has broken apart and aggravated since his divorce, he is now trying to mend his relations with his father (or please him rather), a three-time divorcée, an unpopular sculptor who is excited he met Sigourney Weaver, and sort of a pivot to his total of three children. Noah Baumbach's writing, that covers a whole wide spectrum of comedy, will crack you up. It's surprising because these are not second-hand jokes spewed by Sandler, as you'd think, but funny social mix-ups also involving Dustin Hoffman, Ben Stiller, Elizabeth Marvel, and Emma Thompson that reflect life as you know it. I do not know if I can call these characters dysfunctional (go watch the Bluth family) because there's a certain degree of truth and warmth in their airs; I almost am a Meyerowitz myself. Of course, also blame the goofy editing, the writing slips into boredom theater at some point in the second act with occasional slug-fests and slapstick ruining the flow, but Baumbach manages to wrap it up with a satisfying climax. The Meyerowitz Stories is essentially a film where the characters, although talking to each other, are talking about different things. So you are watching two films at once.
Review of The Meyerowitz Stories
