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| Movie Review: Cyrus Alternate Title: It's Complicated
Story: The writing and directing
brother's team of Jay and Mark Duplass
have given us a summer treat. Their film is quirky and takes a number
of risks. It is comedic with an edge of creepiness. John is lonely and depressed. His marriage has
been over for seven years yet he still is strangely close to his former
wife, Jamie. She has feelings of guilt about John so invites him to
accompany her and her fiancee to a party in order that he might meet
a new woman. Lo and behold, this wreck of a man, latches on to a gorgeous
woman and she ends up going home with John but leaves sometime during
the night. John discovers that she has a 22 year old son,
Cyrus, living at home with her. That relationship is when the creepy
factor crops up. They are uber-close and one can't help but scream 'Oedipus.'
How John navigates this mother son bond is the meat of the story. The
relationship between Cyrus and John is funny and dark. Should you see this movie? If you like a film
that is a bit unexpected and want to see some fine performances, check
it out. Watch the trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3kOxns7lfM Acting: John C. Reilly as John, is at the top of his
game is a masterful performance. Jonah Hill as Cyrus,
goes against type and does a fine job. Marisa Tomei as
Molly is terrific as is the always good Catherine Keener
as Jamie. Trivia: In 2002 Jay Duplass collaborated
with his brother Mark on This is John,
a short film shot digitally for $3 dollars. It was accepted into Sundance
2003, and earned the brothers a representation deal with William Morris.
They returned to Sundance 2004 with another digitally shot short, Scrabble.
And the following year, they premiered their third short, The Intervention,
at Berlin 2005, where it won the Silver Bear and the Teddy Award.
Predilection: None
Critters: None
Sex Spectrum: No nudity but implied sex.
Blatant Product Placement: Apple computer is seen
and Red Bull and Adidas are spoken about often.
Soundtrack: Lively
Opening Titles: A sequence showing John' ex-wife
trying to get into his home to tell him that she is remarrying.
Theater Audience: Fairly crowded for an early Sunday
showing.
Weather: LA delightful
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 2
Squirm Scale: 0
Drift Factor: I did not drift at all.
Predictability Level: I was not sure how this film
would end.
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: No
Big Screen or Rental: I always promote the big screen
but this film would be fine for a rental.
Length: 90 minutes LOBO HOWLS: 7.5
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