Review of Cyrus (2010) by Aaron B — 22 Jan 2011

You can breathe a sigh of relief! "Cyrus" is not a Hanna-Montana production of the life and times of Miley Cyrus, or a documentary on the achy-breaky career of one-hit wonder Country crooner Billy Ray Cyrus (Miley's dad). "Cyrus" is an idiosyncratic, semi-dark, but amusing independent movie. It stars the ever consistent John C. Reilly as John, an unattractive middle-age lonely man who finds an unexpected romance with the attractive "looks much younger for her age" Molly, portrayed by one of the tops in the "looks much younger for her age" Hollywood actress department; none other than the gorgeous Marisa Tomei. John seems to have found light at the end of his lonesome tunnel by finding Mollywood, that is until Molly's creepy adult son Cyrus comes into the picture portrayed by the superbad (in a good way) Jonah Hill. The narrative of "Cyrus" from there focuses on Cyrus' sinister impassive ploy against John in order to end his relationship with his mother Molly. I richly enjoyed the first two acts of "Cyrus" mainly for the superb acting of John C. Reilly with his deadpan expressions and outspokenness of portraying a lonely man who unexpectedly finds romance with a "she's out of my league" middle age woman. And also for Writer-Director bros Jay & Mark Duplass' efforts in not duplicating the same humdrum plots of many romantic comedies. Too bad The Duplass could not duplicate an equal authentic third act of the movie; unfortunately, they elongate the bizarre notions of the movie way too long through the film's last act until they don't even seem bizarre at all. Marisa Tomei did not wrestle with this role and seemed like a natural with her heartfelt performance as the sweet but gullible Molly. Jonah Hill is gradually climbing up that hill towards today's finest comedic actors with his stellar "expressionisque" performance as Cyrus. The articulate Catherine Keener once again shined in an indy film, here as John's supporting ex-wife Jamie. But I cannot leave the John out at the end of my review! In my opinion, it was the great Reilly what mostly made "Cyrus" tick!

**** Good.