What I like in particular about how the Duplass clan approaches story telling is that it's plot by character growth. This could have very very easily been a big broad comedy with these two men one-upping one another in outrageous ways, but I think the harder choice was to really ground this in reality and make us really feel for these characters and all of their struggles. There is a particularly lovely device that's used where a speech/reflection from a previous or soon to come scene plays at voice-over during a scene that cleverly punctuates it. Hill could just be a big goof, but he's human and flawed and comes to terms with that. Most men would wonder - why put up with that shit? But the set-u for Reilly character is perfect, and honestly, who wouldn't want to be with this smart, sexy, and fun Marissa Tomei?! She and Reilly have a lovely chemistry together and it makes the story work because of it (not that there are story problems, far from it).
This is by no means laugh-out-loud, but there's some great chuckles, but more importantly it's about dealing with change when you're not ready to and don't know how. It's a lovely, lovely film and I recommend it for anyone who likes good character romance and drama.
Cyrus
Cyrus [Blu-ray]
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