A recently divorced guy meets the woman of his dreams. Then he meets her son.
Review
Another Indie movie, another positive, glowing review. Yes for every Juno (which is a terrible film by the way) there is a Cyrus. Brimming with originality and stand out performances from its three leads this was a film that had me in fits of laughter which is quite rare.
John, played by John C Reilly, is a divorced, lonely man. A man who, in a heart-breaking drunken speech, admits to having so much to offer but never having the luck to find the right person. His ex-wife (Catherine Keener) feels so much pity for him that she even invites him to party's that she and her new husband-to-be are going to in the vain hope that he can find someone new. That's how low his life has become.
It is at one of these party's, and aforementioned drunken speeches, that he meets Molly (Marisa Tomei) who seems more fascinated than attracted to John but both immediately click. Life seems to be looking up for John and then he meets Molly's son, Cyrus, played gleefully by Jonah Hill. At first all seems well, Cyrus appears to be older than his years and is very close to his mother, sometimes uncomfortably so, but he seems pleasant and friendly and supports their relationship. Or so John thinks.
From here on in its a war of the minds between John and Cyrus. Cyrus who not only manipulates his mother and John's relationship but directly influences his mother herself. It's all played out very cleverly and so slight that you really have to keep up with what is going on, duck out of the room for just a few minutes and you'll miss where the story is at. It's also a very quotable film which I didn't realise till the end when I started playing it back in my head, "What are you doing in the forest of Shrek?" sticks very vividly. Its this connection, pace and perfectly set running time that keeps you hooked. That and the performances.
John C Reilly is just prodigious in this role, he's the perfect actor to show a ludicrous comedic side mixed with dramatic outbursts that blend seamlessly from one scene to the next. Without a shadow of a doubt it's this versatility that is making him one of the most interesting actors working today. Jonah Hill shows a new side to his Superbad tendencies, playing Cyrus with a deafening charm and bewilderment while at the same time being just the right side of creepy to not give too much away. It's a great role for Hill to show that he's not just a one trick pony who'll remain relegated to supporting roles in Judd Apatow fair. Onto Marisa Tomei, sometimes annoying (My Cousin Vinny, What Women Want), sometimes brilliant (The Wrestler), here she's most definitely in the latter category. Entering proceedings as a confident 'I know what I want' woman to show her true emotional colours as a over nurturing mother who refuses at times to acknowledge her son has grown into an adult. It's a whimsical and curious progression of the character and its the one person who you feel the most empathy toward throughout the story.
All this is brought together by Jay & Mark Duplass (another tag team of directors!), filmed with a documentary hand-held camera style which fits perfectly with the dialogue and characters. I wasn't sure how to take it at first but as soon as I got swept up in proceedings I was hooked. The film has a true indie theme and influence running throughout with, at times, full on comedic moments that wouldn't seem out of place in a Will Ferrell offering. Its this blend that makes it all the more watchable and all the more unique.
Cyrus was a fantastic watch and unlike some of the more mainstream comedy fare had me in stitches. Highly recommended and one you should seek out.
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