Review of Cyrus (2010) by Philip S — 22 Jun 2011

'Cyrus' isn't the first time a movie of it's kind has ever been done, plotwise. But there's a certain quality about it that makes it a standout movie. Yes, it's an indie film. That's pretty obvious from the camera work, among other aspects. But what makes it such an akward, yet interesting story, is the fact that instead of being a child, Cyrus is a 22-year old unemployed adult, living with his mother. Molly (Marissa Tomei) still coddles him and treats him as if he were a child. Short and simple, what makes the story so watchable--albeit somewhat disturbing at the same time--is that relationship between Cyrus and his mother, and the impact that it has on John (John C. Reily).

The most common way that the plot behind 'Cyrus' has been done is traditionally with a child. But the use of Jonah Hill makes the story even more believeable than those other family friendly films with a similar plot. Molly coddles Cyrus and treats him like a child. All the while, he's eating up the attention. She allows him to sit and pursue his music career, rather than get a normal job. She even takes part in his musical experimentation, encouraging him directly. So, when John comes into the picture, Cyrus does what any child would do. That's what really makes the story so akward and disturbing. Cyrus is an adult who acts like a child. And Molly allows it to happen. This unstable relationship is far more common in America than most audiences might want to admit to themselves. Far too many adult children are doing much the same as Cyrus. News stations across the board have done countless stories on situations very siimlar to that of Cyrus and Molly.

That reality is a very difficult one for audiences to see. And for families who are dealing with such unstable relationships, it's likely just as difficult to sit and watch a near mirror image of their own lives. But it's necessary. If anything, it should serve as a wake-up call to those families who resemble this situation in any form or fashion. A person has to grow up and let go of the past at one point or another, whether it be parent, caregiver, or child.. Otherwise, it could potentially lead to an unstable and damaging family relationship such as we see here. It's not the standard happy-go-lucky movie that general audiences would watch as it's not as flowery and bright than the other fairy tale-esque stories of its kind. But if given even one watch, audiences may grow to appreciate 'Cyrus' for the thoughtful, deeply emotional work that it is.