This weekend the writing and directing team of Jay and Mark Duplass [MDUPL] hope for mainstream acceptance. The brothers have developed a cult following in Hollywood with the indie horror-comedy Baghead, and their new film Cyrus [CYRUS] should help them break out of their niche. The comedy stars John C. Reilly [JCREI], Marisa Tomei [MTOME] and Jonah Hill [JHILL]. Those looking for a witty comedy need look no further. What Cyrus offer audiences is authentic laughs and good chemistry from the cast.
Reilly plays a divorced man who falls for a single mother, played by Tomei. As the romance heats up, he finds opposition from her son, played by Hill, who is a hopeless mama’s boy. The action boils down to the two men fighting over their favorite woman.
A simple enough story is made richer by the performances of its three leads. Reilly shines as the hapless divorcee who becomes hopeless in love once again. The disturbing relationship between Tomei and Hill tells of a deeper affection. While it’s easy to sympathize with Reilly who just wants to find love without complications, it is also amusing to watch the length Hill will go to manipulate his mother. It’s clear that she is the reason he has any sense of self-worth and the world is harsh on this awkward kid.
The real gem of the film definitely comes from the interaction of Hill and Reilly. While the two really want to go at each other’s throats, they try to keep it civil to make their case with Tomei, who is liable to leave one for the other. When their awkward and loser sides clash, the real laughs come out. While all three actors have been in numerous other films, the Duplass brothers manage to elicit a comedic timing that shows each of their deeper side.
While fast action and adorable tots might be the order of the day, this character-driven laugher could make for a good way to spend a few hours. Cyrus opens in limited release this weekend.
Tag(s): MDUPL, CYRUS, JCREI, MTOME, JHILL