Everything Must Go

Will Ferrell is Nick Halsey, a guy who is having the worst day of his life. He has just been fired from his job and when he gets home the locks have been changed, his wife is gone and all of his possessions are on the front lawn. Breaking his sobriety, Nick plops himself into an easy chair, pops open a beer, and tries to drink away his troubles. But when the morning automatic sprinklers come on, Nick has to take action. The problem is, he doesn’t. Nick Halsey has hit rock bottom.
 
When the neighbors start to complain that a man is living on his front lawn, the police, seeing he is drunk, try to arrest him. But to keep from being hauled in, Nick drops the name of his police detective AA sponsor (Michael Pena). Detective Garcia buys Nick some time by evoking a city ordinance that says a homeowner may have a garage sale for no more than four consecutive days. This gives Nick until Saturday. If he isn’t gone by then, Garcia himself will arrest him.
 
With the help of a neighborhood kid, Nick begins sorting out his life by sorting out his things. Kenny (Christopher Jordan Wallace) is his sounding board as well as a new sympathetic neighbor (Rebecca Hall) who has just moved in across the street. Nick must re-evaluate his priorities and take a closer look at what his possession are worth. In the process he discovers much more. Every knick-knack, souvenir or collectible has a meaning or a story for him, it is time to divest and travel lighter.
 
Will Ferrell is playing it straight here and even though there are touches of humor this is a dramatic role. Not only is Will Ferrell proving himself to be adept in this part he turns in some very nice nuanced scenes. Whether it is acting opposite Laura Dern, Rebecca Hall or young Christopher Jordan Wallace, Ferrell is able to evoke pathos, empathy and an I’ve been there smile. He’s everyman here and shows he’s capable of pulling off a dramatic role. Everything Must Go is worth a look.

Rating: First Run Will Ferrell proves he can handle drama