See, it's not all mainstream blockbusters and CGI effects-fests over here, we've got room for the little guys too. Our next entry to the list is a quaint, funny yet sweet indie flick, focusing, like so much of indie cinema does, on the American family in its various incarnations. This movie is really small in scope, and there's something sweet and endearing about that. Is it a comedy? Is it a drama? Yes? The entire action involves 5 named characters and occurs in about 6 locations I can recall. This state of affairs puts a lot of pressure on the writers and cast, as without everyone on their A-game, this kind of movie can fall flat on it's face. Luckily for me, audiences, and this movie, this skilled cast is more than up to the challenge. I've been a John C. Reilly fan since his turn as "Happy" Jack Mulraney, the crooked constable in "Gangs of New York", I think he's really come into his own as an actor who can pull off both ass-clownery (see Talladega Nights, Walk Hard), and something a bit more serious. Marissa Tomei has come a long way since she was the widely proclaimed "worst ever" actress to win an oscar, absolutely killing it in 2008's "The Wrestler". Jonah Hill, well, I earnestly believe he's the funniest actor to come out of the whole "Judd Apatow" school of films, and I'll argue that with anyone who'd like to. Indie movie darling Catherine Keener (she's in 95% of the indie movies I've seen over the past 5 years, true story) has more than proven her ability to do drama with that touch of comedy. So what we have here is the solid base for an enjoyable little movie.John, (John C Reilly) finds himself in an existential funk, unable to move on 7 years after divorcing his ex-wife (Catherine Keener), with whom he remains close. His ex and her new fiancee goad John into getting out of the house and meeting people, which he finally agrees to after some prodding. After going to a party, he hits it off with a seemingly perfect woman, Molly (Tomei). After a brief dating period, he and Molly become more and more serious, but something gets in the way - Molly's coddled, maladjusted 21 year old son, Cyrus. Molly and Cyrus' relationship borders on the absurd, and Jonah Hill relishes living it up as the bizarre, often ridiculous, but also tragic man-child who really is just afraid of losing his mother. A rivalry develops between Cyrus and John, with results that alternate between hilarious and tragic. There are no heroes here, no villains, just people.. all flawed in kind.
This is a movie that on the strength of its cast, rises to be more than what the sum of its parts would appear to be. Funny yet sweet, smart yet simple, it's a little piece of Americana, that, like most art, says so much more about who we are as people than any "study" or essay ever could. I thoroughly enjoyed this little flick - and I think most of you will too.
7.5/10.
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