SMC @ The Movies: Cyrus

SMC took the show on the road this weekend (yes, to an actual theater) for not one, but two movies. What made us take that long elevator ride from our subterranean bunker? Why our beloved Duplass Brothers, of course and their first studio film, Cyrus. The film follows a down-on-his-luck schlub (John C. Reilly) who has the unnatural good fortune to have Marisa Tomei fall for him. Only problem? She lives with her adult son (Jonah Hill) who has a few mommy issues to still work out. Of course, we liked it. 

Vin

I'll stand by a few things:

1. John C. Reilly would make a great buddy

2. The Duplass Bros make a great small film

3. Jon C. is the Cyrus in Catherine Keener's life

4. I want to see another film with Mark Duplass in it

 

Frank:

I said that it seemed a little strange at times seeing bigger actors in this indie-looking film--it looks just like their other movies, which I like a lot by the way. Do you think it would have been the same if, say, Mark starred in this and the other two were unknown? 

 

Vin

If Mark was in it it would have been seen by no one except their friends and a small amount of people who know the other films...It still would have been good...but I gotta say I missed Mark Duplass in this...but John C. Reilly was very funny and very believable.

  

Frank

What I really like about their films is that no matter the plot they try to figure out how people would realistically respond to situations. Like when they're fighting and they gall into the gift table. In a Hollywood film, first they would have jumped up and smashed through it like in wrestling. Then they would have kept going, probably rolling into a pool or the wedding cake. But here it was over quick like a real fight, people thought they were assholes, and everyone was embarrassed. I guess it's because they were just making a movie instead of "a comedy."

Vin

As for the realism...yes it was great...there were moments that you are expecting it to turn into a raunchy, "unrated" Step Brothers formula film...but it never does...and that is refreshing...I like that the only thing Cyrus does is steal the shoes and be generally creppy...in another film he would have done unreal things to be weird

 

Frank

Exactly. They would have beaten that point home. They probably would have had him grab his mom's ass or something. The beauty here is that you keep expecting him to do that but he doesn't because who would do that? The Bros Du actually seem to respect the audience's ability to think for themselves. 

Frank

And Tomei was really very good in this. She's a good actress. You guys should have never broken up.