BigdaddyDave's Review

Summary - Very Good 3.5

The story of John, a middle-aged single guy (John C. Reilly) whose attempts to date a beautiful woman named Molly (Marisa Tomei) are disrupted by her grown son, Cyrus (Jonah Hill).

The film marks an important collaboration between director/writer brothers Mark and Jay Duplass and a mainstream production company (Fox) in creating this latest installment of mumblecorps. Previously the realm of poorly financed indie flicks, mumblecorps appears on the horizon as a new form of cinematic self-expression, allegedly capturing the stylistic ponderings of the mid-20 something crowd.

Prior to this film, I can’t say I was ever exposed to this new cinematic approach. As such, I found the movie sometimes difficult, although not necessarily un-enjoyable. As a self-confessed neophyte to formal film critique and structure, I try to be as open as possible to new styles. As my Mom would say, “You don’t know until you try it.”

The problem is, even after trying it, I’m not sure I like it. As a middle-aged single male, I can surely relate to John’s clumsiness (and attraction to Marisa Tomei for that matter). And, I happen to be a fan of all of the lead actor’s work in previous films. And sometimes trying something good introduces newfound enjoyment. But, I didn’t really feel that enjoyment with Cyrus. It was funny in spots, and I liked the effort of the actors. But the “story-telling” aspect of the movie, along with the underlying oedipus issues, bothered me.

Conversely, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about the movie, even defending its merits to my parents (who hated it). In respects, isn’t that what art should make us do? Shouldn’t it make us think about things differently? So given that approach, yes the movie worked.

But it can also be argued that a movie should entertain. And while parts of Cyrus were indeed funny, others were monotonous for me, even tiring.

So then the problem becomes how to rate it. It’s hard to compare this movie in some ways to other movies I’ve seen and enjoyed, which, as one of the foundations of cinematic review and critique, is important.

So, in the end, after giving it objective review and trying to assimilate what it has to offer, I’ll stick with “Very good.” I give this rating in recognition of its creativity, and the nice acting job done by the leads, in spite of a morally troubling plot and what might be a personal aversion to mumblecorps movies.

Watched on DVD.

Acting - Very Good 3.5

Film - OK 2.5

Edge - Risqué 2.3

Reality - Glib 1.3

1 Comment

• Wick Mar 11, 2011 8:51PM

  Well fellows, I’m odd man out. While BigD gave it a Very Good, his commentary suggests it was almost a mercy award. Good thing you two balanced out my review.

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