Rating:  

Scott Free Productions and Fox Searchlight Pictures.

Written By: Mark Duplass and Jay Duplass.

Divorced for 6 years and goaded into attending a dinner party by his ex-wife, John meets the girl of his dreams, drunk and when he least expects it. When Molly sends John mixed signals, he follows her home and stumbles upon Cyrus, Molly’s 21-year old son. Needless to say, a very unique emotional love triangle forms in the quirky and disquieting comedy, “Cyrus”.

Directed by Mark and Jay Duplass, “Cyrus” has an organic realness to it that many studio films simply lack nowadays. The Duplass brothers started and gained prominence making movies dubbed as “mumblecore”, a low-budget, sensitive, and character-driven subgenre of largely romantic films where most of the characters talk about feelings and tend to be youthful, a bit whiny, and carry a sort of slacker mentality. “Cyrus” marks a sign of maturity and growth in the Duplass brothers career and retains a great deal of charm and originality that most American romantic comedies fail to find or flat out ignore. Relying heavily on improvisation and through the use of long, uninterrupted takes while shooting, the Duplass brothers have created a film with the potential of mass appeal, but also one with a quirky and independent sensibility about it.

Crucial to the film’s success are the three main performances. John C. Reilly stars as John and really was and is the perfect choice to play this tired and lonely man, looking for anyone who can possibly make him feel worth anything. It’s not that John is desperate per se, but there’s a reason he gives in to his ex-wife and attends that party; one which changes his life forever. Catherine Keener should merit a mention here as Jamie, John’s ex-wife and still the only person that truly knows John after all of these years. Jamie knows John is wounded but knows that John still has a flickering hope that someone, somewhere will appreciate what he has to offer. Keener is great as always, but Reilly is masterful as John.

Marisa Tomei should be celebrated in her performance as Molly, the single mother who clings to her 21-year old son, Cyrus, both enabling and benefiting from their co-dependent relationship. In an uncomfortable but touching moment, Molly shares that she has essentially remained single for virtually all of Cyrus’ life, a fact she tosses out to Cyrus when the prospects of John moving in are imminent, palpable and real. Tomei creates Molly from the inside out and builds her scene by scene into a real person and less a character on a page. Tomei has always been good in her films, earning an Oscar rather (in)famously for her comedic turn in “My Cousin Vinny” nearly 20 years ago. And although award season may not hear her name called or mentioned, I am not sure I have seen her any better in playing an equally wounded, scared, and vulnerable 40-something woman seeking the exact same thing in life that John is.

And the star continues to rise for Jonah Hill, who is not the goofy, irresponsible, comedic vessel we are accustomed to seeing. In the titular role, Hill’s Cyrus is a mama’s boy, nerdy geek, wily, smart, manipulative liar, and a boy simply scared and wounded in his own unsettling way. Exhibited in a more immediate and awkward manner, Cyrus seeks the comfort of love, needs to believe he matters and holds a place in the world. He orchestrates some pretty incredible and despicable acts in the film, but to Hill’s credit, you do find yourself rooting for Cyrus on his journeys through this movie as well.

Shot utilizing an intimate and handheld style, “Cyrus” succeeds in large part by drawing the viewer into something resembling real life and real experiences. Even when battle lines are drawn, and as absurd as things become, the more we believe the character’s motivations and frankly, their personal urgency in “winning” Molly. For Cyrus and John, the alternative may be too much to take.

That Molly needs them both as well is where the film finds its voice. While some have complained that John, or any reasonable person, would never put up with Cyrus’ shenanigans, he does not stay merely for his own benefit, but genuinely because Molly needs him to. Molly keeps Cyrus close because without him she feels empty and without purpose. The Duplass brothers have essentially crafted one character and presented that character in three distinctive packages. What “Cyrus” says so elegantly, and yet so simply, is that love is the one thing that everyone needs, desires, and seeks in their life. Living without it is just too scary a proposition to consider.

Some will balk at its indie look and feel, the dark and disturbing turn the film takes as John and Cyrus’ battle of wills reaches a near breaking point, and the heavy use of improvisation may throw some people. “Cyrus” is a film with beautiful, damaged characters trying to carefully reacquaint themselves with an ability to trust in themselves and in others. The risk is the reward for John, Molly, Cyrus, and those of us fortunate enough to take the time with a romantic comedy/drama that truly resonates with the viewer long after its credits fade to black.

Should I See It?

YES

You like romantic comedy/dramas with smarts and intelligence and realism.

Fans of the Duplass brothers earlier, low-budget efforts will not be disappointed as they move closer to the mainstream.

The Duplass brothers trust in their actors and allowing them to improv at will gives the film an unpredictable quality unique from most romantic comedies.

NO

The feel and pitch of the movie is something rather unconventional and may throw people off.

Things between Cyrus and John escalate to a dark degree, which may make some viewers find the proceedings not funny or amusing at all.

Jonah Hill fans are going to get something much different than before; a more cerebral performance and less the go for broke style you may be used to.