Film Reviews

Cyrus

• Rating:
• Director: Jay Duplass
• Starring: Catherine Keener
• Details: US/92mins 15A

Being marketed as a brash, Step Brothers-like comedy where John C. Reilly and Jonah Hill face off for the love of Marisa Tomei's single mother, this is a somewhat darker, more offbeat effort than you might expect. Reilly plays up on his manchild persona once more and Hill utilizes his now customary deadpan line delivery at every turn, but it's shot in intrusive handheld, making it feel decidedly more indie than you might expect.
Reilly is John, a middle-aged man who has never gotten over his separation from Catherine Keener's still friendly, Jamie. When she announces to him that she's finally remarrying, and insists on taking him out to cheer him up, he gets plastered and attempts to chat up every woman in sight - being hideously forthcoming with most of them. Tomei's quirky Molly notices him, though, and the two begin a fast moving relationship that soon sees John introduced to Molly's dependant twenty something son, Cyrus (played by Hill). Although initially appearing to get on, Cyrus and John soon butt heads as a territory war ensues.
Opening with Keener catching Reilly's curly-headed, self-confessed Shrek lookalike masturbating, the tone of cringey, uncomfortable comedy is evident from the start. When things begin to look up for John, after he meets Tomei's inexplicably hot and understanding quirky sort, there was always going to be a catch. But it's how that catch is played that makes Cyrus different. Hill is clean cut, and creepy as hell, but he plays it so subtly you're never quite sure what he's up to. It's an impressively subdued turn, and the Superbad star deserves credit for delivering it comically and with substance.
Pacing wise it may be a bit lethargic for some, and it's hard to shake off the feeling that you've seen Reilly play this character before; cutting that opening scene for something less abrasive may have set up his character more aptly, but the other Apatow stalwart is still solid. Tomei, meanwhile, is as gorgeous and adorable as ever - she's aging like a fine wine.
Cyrus may be altogether predictable, but like this week's other big release, Going The Distance, it comes from an honest, sometimes awkward place.

Review by Mike Sheridan