Thus this film could easily have been a broad comedy, playing the situation for laughs (as the trailer might rather suggest it is) or it could have been an emotional melodrama, turning up the heat to a sticky ending. Cyrus is neither of those things, but its also hard to define what it is exactly. Writer-Directors Jay and Mark Duplass have been building up a credible indy-reputation through films not many (including me) have see - The Puffy Chair or Baghead anyone? What they produce here is quirky, darkly funny, but rarely in a laugh out loud kind of way, but also rather an interesting and fascinating look at some rather dysfunctional people.
They are aided in this by a top-notch cast. John C Reilly is a consistently underrated actor who shines here in his best role for a long time, making his character neither too much of a loser to be likeable or too good to be unbelievable in the situation. Marissa Tomei is excellent as ever, but has the least explained character to make credible. Added to the mix is indie-queen and ever-reliable Catherine Keener as Reilly's ex-wife and confidant. Which leaves Jonah Hill - an actor I have given some criticism to before - he was hugely unlikeable in both Funny People and Get Him to the Greek, but here when he's actually playing the unlikeable character he takes his cue from the veterans around him and underplays really well and adds a real human dimension to what could have been a one note joke. This helps with an ending that turns out to be surprisingly underplayed and warmly touching.
Overall - 6.5/10 Hard to categorise, certainly won't be too everybody's taste, but its an interesting and quirky little film.
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