Everything Must Go

Sacked after a drink-related misdemeanour, a middle-aged sales exec finds his departing wife has locked up their suburban home and left all his belongings on the lawn. In this assured adaptation of Raymond Carver’s short story ‘Why Don’t You Dance’, Will Ferrell tackles a serious role as the shambling alcoholic pausing to reflect on the detritus of his life – turning his crisis into a five-day yard sale. Director Rush’s screenplay makes the encounters with friends and neighbours rather too obviously meaningful, but strikes exactly the right note of caring caution when it comes to the central role, impressively executed by an underplaying Ferrell, who’s spot-on in his portrayal of befuddled mid-life denial.