"Brad's Status" Stars Ben Stiller as a Narcissist with a Grandiose Cast Including Michael Sheen and Luke Wilson

"Brad's Status" stars the talented comedic actor/screenwriter Ben Stiller.  Here Stiller shows his talented acting chops with a very distasteful character.  Mike White (b Amer 1970) is a multi-talented, award winning screenwriter ("School of Rock"), actor & director.  White  wrote & directed this movie that is a searing study of a self-destructive narcissist, Brad (Ben Stiller).  Narcissism is a personality disorder where the individual feels & behaves in distressing ways that are self-destructive & cause irreparable damage to healthy relationships and pose problems in social settings.  Some of these irritating, noxious traits include a sense of entitlement, inability to take criticism, resentment at not receiving special treatment, anger & envy towards others perceived as more successful or better in some way.  These people are often moody & depressed & harbor hidden feelings of insecurity or humiliation while behaving in a boastful or superior manner.   Simply put, this is someone draining to be around if you can even tolerate being around them.  These self-grandiose individuals are the ones who monopolize the conversation & take up all the oxygen in the room.  White wrote a sharp script that hits all the power points of a person with this disorder and Stiller delivers an Oscar worthy performance of a father, husband, 'Friend' who personifies this abhorrent personality.  Who can be around someone who personifies these traits?  Not anyone who is able to steer clear.  However, Brad has maintained a lasting marriage despite blaming her for his failures.  He also has a bond with his son Troy (a totally engaging Austin Abrams) who is headed off to visit Ivy League colleges.  Brad runs a futile, non-profit agency connecting donors & charities. He's free to fly from CA to Boston with Troy while his mother is tied up with take her govt. job (which foots the family bills).  Brad seems surprised & jealous to learn his son stands a good chance to gain admittance to Harvard.  Over  the course of the college trip, Brad reminisces about his friends from Tuft's.  He ruminates over their  fame & fortune far surpassing his own status.  Furthermore, the old group of friends have moved on without him fueling his animosity & need to prove his prowess.  The alumni class cast includes:  Mike White, Luke Wilson, Jermain Clement, Jenna Fisher and a marvelous Michael Sheen.  The trip has its highs & lows for both father & son.  At one point Troy asks his dad if he's having some sort of nervous breakdown.  The movie gets on your nerves & under your skin as intended.   If I were a prof. of literature I would give Mike White an A+ for his thesis, Ben Stiller an A+ for delivery and a WTF to the film.  Why Torture yourselF with this excruciating study of a narcissist?  Because Brad is the cad we love to hate.