Cyrus

(PG) * * * *

Group Hug!

By ROBERT WALDMAN

Affairs of the heart can be tricky matters.  Fox Searchlight Films unleashes Cyrus, a telling tale of emotion and struggle that’s now unraveling at the Fifth Avenue Cinemas.

Smart films don’t happen that often.  Small casts can make big impacts on a film if the story is fresh and invigorating.   Standout acting turns Cyrus into a must see film that boasts terrific performances from those who you’d least expect.

Been there done that is a common thread in relationships and in life in general.  Take the case of John.  Funnyman John C. Reilly (Step Brothers) leaves the humour behind to play a cast-off lover now at wit’s end.  Married once upon a time to Jamie our man John is in the doldrums.  Catherine Keener (The 40 Year Old Virgin) has a habit of coming across as warm and caring in all her performances and here is no exception.  Often former spouses are at each other’s throats as bad feelings from a break-up can linger for an eternity.  In Cyrus there still is a connection between John and Jamie though it now falls into the “feeling sorry” category.

Now that Jamie has her life together she feels sad that John is not getting on with his life.  Being alone is no good for anyone so finally John gets out and at a party meets a new woman named Molly.  Opposites can attract and Academy Award winning actress Marisa Tomei (In the Bedroom) struggles with her new found friend.

Being able to connect with someone is not easy and the relationship between John and Mary is all the more complicated because of Cyrus, Jamie’s grown son.  Hot off his starring role in Get Me To The Greek Jonah Hill (Superbad) gets to explore his darker side as a mama’s boy not too thrilled with the new man of the house.

True to form, Cyrus is a very clever tale about how people adapt to new surroundings and getting to know potential partners.  Joint directors/writers Jay Duplass and Mark Duplass first made a stir in the film world with the different and raucous Baghead.  Producer Ridley Scott clearly liked their work as do scores of fans to make that previous film and likely this one a hit on the independent film circuit.

Expect the unexpected doesn’t happen too often when you go to see a movie.  Hollywood films are notorious for being mainly formulaic.   Not here.  Outside the box thinking is what you get in Cyrus that has pitch perfect acting.  Here you see the characters grow and search out new experiences leaving you with a sense of discovery.  Both Hill and Reilly are perfect as sparring men in a house of love with Marisa Tomei dazzling as a confused, caught in the middle female figure also at her wit’s end.

Struggle, pain and uncertainty all rise to the fore in Cyrus, a telling tale of love, family and bitter rivalry.  Dark in tone, strong in emotion Cyrus turns out to be one of the best dramas of the year.  Crisp writing and not knowing what will happen next makes Cyrus highly entertaining and serious/realistic drama at its best.

Read more reviews by Robert at www.moviereviewssite.com