There’s a scene in Noah Baumbach’s “Greenberg” where Roger, played by Ben Stiller, and a group of people find an unknown rodent in the pool. They stare at it for a moment before Roger walks on, a kind of existential wandering illuminated by outside lamps through the shadows of tree leaves.

In this scene, the film achieves a surreal revelation befitting of a John Cheever short story. However, Baumbach’s indie movie clingings, especially its soundtrack, distract from the film.

At the same time, “Greenberg” is a film obsessed with the relationship between music and life with discussions of bands to Duran Duran to mix CDs and more.

Baumbach presents a revelation precious to him like “Accepting the life you never planned on – that’s huge.” It’s a beautiful scene and the line, but it seems forced and contrived in the rest of the movie.

When it’s surreal and wandering, “Greenberg” proves why Baumbach, director of the excellent “Squid and the Whale” and “Margot at the Wedding,” is one of the most important directors of our generation.