Greenberg

Roger Greenberg released from mental hospital, arrives in LA to house-sit for wealthy brother. Aimless, bitter 40-year-old carpenter from NYC. Life stalled while others succeeded. Disconnection and resentment established.

Greenberg to Florence: "Hurt people hurt people." Theme of emotional damage, self-sabotage, and whether broken person can connect authentically or will destroy any chance at happiness.

Greenberg doing nothing, writing complaint letters. Meets Florence, brother assistant. She is kind, younger, uncertain. His old bandmate Ivan still in LA. Past failed record deal haunts. Stuck in past failures.

Brother dog gets sick. Greenberg must take to vet. Florence helps. Small connection forms. First human interaction that is not hostile. Possibility of relationship emerging despite his resistance.

Greenberg attends party, feels out of place. Reconnects with Ivan. Should he pursue Florence? She is younger, he is damaged. Past band drama resurfaces. Can he move forward or forever trapped by old resentments?

Greenberg and Florence sleep together. Awkward but genuine moment. He immediately retreats emotionally. Pattern of self-sabotage beginning. Entering relationship he will try to destroy.

Florence represents possibility of connection and growth. She is patient but has own problems. Their relationship mirrors his inability to accept good things. Will kindness break through bitterness or be rejected?

Greenberg throws party that goes poorly. Conflicts with Ivan about past. Florence dates other people. Greenberg criticizes everything. Promise of premise: watching self-destructive man alienate everyone around him.

Dog gets sicker, nearly dies. Greenberg panics. False defeat. Florence helps him through crisis. Moment of vulnerability. She sees his fear. Brief connection before he retreats again into hostility.

Greenberg pushes Florence away with cruelty. Fights with Ivan about band breakup years ago. Alienates brother. Writes more complaint letters. Everyone tired of his bitterness. Isolation increasing by his own actions.

Florence tells Greenberg she is done. Cannot be treated poorly anymore. He drives to ex-girlfriend house, Beth, desperate. She rejects him. Everyone has moved on. Only he is stuck. Completely alone.

Greenberg alone in brother house. Dog recovered but he has destroyed every relationship. Realizes pattern: whenever something good happens, he sabotages it. Decades of this. Lowest emotional point. Confronting himself.

Greenberg goes to Florence. Genuine apology. Admits he is damaged, scared. "I am trying." First real vulnerability. She listens but guarded. Synthesis: accepting brokenness but trying anyway.

Florence agrees to take him to airport. Small gesture. They drive together. He thanks her for everything. Moment of authentic gratitude. No grand gesture, just honesty. Growth is incremental.

Greenberg at airport. Uncertain future. Changed slightly but still struggling. Florence drives away. Connection made despite damage. No fairy tale ending but small hope that broken people can try. Growth possible but hard.