Cyrus has a familiar plot, but has a great cast that can deliver the comedy and the drama. The movie never gets too dramatic and even when it does, it is short-lived. There are plenty of scenes that will make you laugh and maybe even creep you out at times, but that is what the Duplass Brothers (Jay and Mark) like.
These guys like the dry, awkward comedy. They were involved in movies like Baghead and Humpday. If you have seen either one of those movies then you know what I am talking about. They directed this movie and their comedy works because of the wonderful performances by John C. Reilly, Marisa Tomei and Jonah Hill.
John (Reilly) has been single ever since his divorce seven years ago and has become disinterested with love. It is the furthest thing from his mind. However, his ex-wife and best friend Jamie (Catherine Kenner) encourages him to get out and try his luck at love again. It would be good for him. So she convinces him to go to this party and this is where he meets Molly (Tomei). They hit it off nicely and end up back at his place that night. And for several nights, she comes over and they hang out. But at some point during the night she always has to leave and John does not understand why.
Until one night he follows her and the next morning meets the other guy in Molly’s life: her 21 year-old son Cyrus. This is where the trouble begins. Cyrus is very mature and polite to John–to his face. The rivalry between John and Cyrus starts when John’s shoes go missing. From there, the two men fight for Molly by fighting with each other. John and Cyrus play tricks and try to outsmart one another until it gets out of control. And we all know it will.
Cyrus loves his mom. They have a great friendship but an unconventional relationship. They share this bond that cannot be broken. But John does not see the Cyrus that Molly does. Cyrus wants to be the only guy in her life and he does not want to share her with anyone. And it takes a toll on John and Molly’s relationship, but also the relationship between mother and son.
Cyrus really relies on the chemistry between the three main characters. Nothing would have worked without Reilly, Tomei and Hill. They work so well together and work off each other brilliantly, especially Reilly and Hill. I wonder how much of what they said was actually in the script. No matter what was on the page or how much was improvised, all of the dialog was perfectly executed.
The Duplass brothers have made a mainstream movie that works on all levels and has the capability of connecting with the audience. This movie is about love. Different kinds of it. The Duplass brothers take their extreme characters and throw love right in their face. Cyrus is funny and sweet and the performances make it that much better.
Brandon Vick is a member of The Music City Film Critics’ Association and the Southeastern Film Critics Association, the resident film critic of the SoBros Network, and the star of The Vick’s Flicks Podcast. Follow him on Twitter @SirBrandonV and be sure to search #VicksFlicks for all of his latest movie reviews.
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