Cyrus – Review (SXSW)

Before I walked in to the Paramount at SXSW I wasn’t really expecting much out of Cyrus. The Dulpass Brothers are excellent run and gun guerrilla filmmakers, but now that they have the team of Ridley and Tony Scott executive producing this film, would they still keep true to their nature? Working with a bigger crew and two of Hollywood’s A-list comedic actors, Mark and Jay did not disappoint in putting a unique spin on a comedy staple.

Cyrus is about a guy named John (John C. Reilly), who has had a rough past 7 years. He is divorced, yet is still best friends with his ex-wife. She lets him know by walking in on him masturbating that she is getting remarried. So he attends the engagement party and after seven vodka and red bulls he meets Molly(Marisa Tomei). They hit it off and start dating, but every time she spends time with him she leaves in the middle of the night. So John tails her, sleeps in his car, and walks up at her house, only to be greeted by her 21 year old son, Cyrus.

For the most part this film plays out like an Apatow movie, but one thing that these two brothers from New Orleans capture is some of the most realistic dialogue I’ve heard in a long time. From the awkward meeting of John and Cyrus to how Molly talks to her son, it brings a sense of realism to a relatively bland concept. John and Jonah always deliver in any comedy situation and Marisa Tomei lent a back bone to their never ending feud. It seems every time she walks onto that big screen I fall in love with her. She kept up a perfect balance as a romantic love interest and an over protective mother that can not let go. She keeps this film on pace.

While waiting for the movie to start I was talking with a few of the audience members and they made me remember Johnny C. before he starting doing nothing but comedies. Yes it is a comedy, but you can see where the diversity of his acting ability comes into play. There is a moment where Cyrus comes to apologize for messing the relationship with his mother. John doesn’t even open the door. He just screams and curses at the boy giving the sense that if that door was not there he would most likely have killed him. After letting out all his frustration  John catches his head and comforts an already flustered boy. At that moment I knew that there really wasn’t anything that this actor couldn’t do.

The hype for this film was surrounded around Jonah Hill. Yes he did give a good performance, but by end of the movie it was clear that he should stick to drawing penises. The best moments of the film for his character where when he ad libbed and used the humor that we all know and love. There was not much depth to his character just a never ending struggle to find himself as a serious actor. In my opinion, yes it was good to see him in a different type of role, but next time he should stick to his guns.

All in all it was a good flick. I remember watching the trailer and being extremely worried because it look kind of crappy, but walking out of the theater I had a grin from ear to ear. Mark and Jay, good job, keep making films, and we will keep watching.

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