Movie Review - Cyrus

Cyrus (2010)

Starring John C. Reilly, Marisa Tomei, Catherine Keener, and Jonah Hill

Directed by Jay and Mark Duplass

mumblecore (n.) - an American independent film movement characterized by their low budgets and their focus on personal relationships amongst twentysomethings utilizing improvised dialog with mostly non-professional actors

Apparently, Cyrus is considered a pic from the mumblecore movement despite the fact that it doesn't fit about half of the criteria listed above.  You hear that word, though -- mumblecore -- and it just kind of conjures up this feeling of boredom which, considering how I feel about a lot of indie, low budget comedies, is probably apropos.  Surprisingly, however, Cyrus proved to be somewhat enjoyable (even despite the presence of Jonah Hill).

Part of the reason for Cyrus's moderate success is that it doesn't overstay its welcome.  Clocking in at under ninety minutes, directors Jay and Mark Duplass keep things moving along at a brisk pace...which is nice considering that there isn't much story here.  John (John C. Reilly) is a divorced middle-aged guy stuck in a rut, thinking that he'll never find someone with whom to share his life.  At a party thrown by his ex-wife (Catherine Keener), John meets Molly (Marisa Tomei), a sexy younger woman who shows an interest in him.  Things become serious rather quickly and John soon discovers that Molly has a grown 22-year old son, Cyrus (Jonah Hill).  Still living at home, Cyrus and Molly have an odd co-dependent relationship that John soon discovers will cause a serious hindrance to his fun times with Molly.

Ultimately, the problem with the film is with the title character and his relationships with others.  There was not a single instance in the film when I believed that Cyrus could actually exist.  Seeing as how this is a film that bases itself in reality, it is of fundamental importance that I be able to believe what I'm actually watching.  Unfortunately, I never believed in Cyrus as a character.  Part of that blame falls on Jonah Hill who always seemed to be hiding a smirk on his face (which may have been his way of playing the devious character...if it was, it was a tactic that didn't work).  But I think the bigger blame belongs to the screenwriters/directors Jay and Mark Duplass who never shaped Cyrus into anything other than a broad caricature.

Still, against the odds, I found myself liking a decent amount of the movie.  John C. Reilly, who typically doesn't get the chance to shine in lead roles unless they are of a broad comedic type (a la Step Brothers or Walk Hard), is actually quite charming here.  He's understated and completely believable as the depressed then reinvigorated John.  Marisa Tomei is also good as well, although she is burdened with the ludicrous parent-child relationship the script forces her to have with her son.

The RyMickey Rating:  C