Product Details

• Actors: Marisa Tomei, John C. Reilly, Jonah Hill, Catherine Keener
• Directors: Mark Duplass, Jay Duplass
• Producers: Ridley Scott, Tony Scott
• Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 5.1), French (Dolby Surround), Spanish (Dolby Surround)
• Subtitles: English, Spanish
• Dubbed: French, Spanish
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Studio: Fox Searchlight
• DVD Release Date: December 14, 2010
• Run Time: 91 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (56 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0037QGRV0
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #81,282 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Mumblecore auteurs the Duplass brothers (Baghead, The Puffy Chair) dip their toes in the precarious waters of Hollywood by casting well-known actors in Cyrus. But their devotion to clumsy, uncomfortable people remains: John (John C. Reilly, Step Brothers) has barely left his apartment in the seven years since Jamie (Catherine Keener, Lovely & Amazing) divorced him, so Jamie demands he come to a party--where, miraculously, he meets Molly (Marisa Tomei, The Wrestler), who seems like the woman of his dreams. Unfortunately, Molly comes with some baggage: her 22-year-old son, Cyrus (Jonah Hill, Superbad). To say Molly and Cyrus are close is an understatement, and John finds himself in a battle of wills with Molly as the prize. The Duplass brothers seek a kind of cinematic simplicity--to call it purity would be too highbrow for these aggressively pedestrian filmmakers--and when it works, it brings the viewer in intimate contact with life in its ordinary, essential glory. When it doesn't work, it's just dull. Despite its flatfooted plot, Cyrus works pretty well. The higher caliber of the cast helps--Reilly, Tomei, Hill, and Keener are all excellent, and much of the movie is genuinely funny. Don't expect elegance, but sometimes, something plain can please. --Bret Fetzer

Product Description

John C. Reilly, Jonah Hill and Oscar® Winner Marisa Tomei star in this quirky, hilarious story about love, family and cutting the cord. Not-so-recently divorced John (Reilly) thinks he’s finally found the perfect woman when he meets the sweet and sexy Molly (Tomei). There’s just one problem – Molly’s son Cyrus (Hill) clings to his mom like lint on a T-shirt, and he’s not about to let another man come between them. It’s one hysterically awkward moment after another as John and Cyrus fight for the right to be Molly’s #1 man.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Deft Blend of Comedy and Drama January 8, 2011

By Joshua Miller VINE™ VOICE

Format:DVD

A film starring John C. Reilly and Jonah Hill is going to attract a certain audience...And that is not the correct audience for this film. While Reilly is an accomplished dramatic actor, he's become well-known for appearing in successful comedies lately; Hill is best-known for his work in the Apatow-cannon. Cyrus is the type of film the average moviegoer dismisses as "too weird" or "not funny," which both miss the point entirely. To use a term I'm not fond of, Cyrus is a "dramedy," that seamlessly blends both comedy and drama avoiding cheap punchlines and dramatic, emotional cues. If you think Step Brothers is the "best movie ever" and you're expecting typical Jonah Hill-fare, this is not your movie. If you watch it with an open mind, you'll find it quite rewarding.

John C. Reilly plays John, still wallowing in loneliness seven years after his divorce. Now, his ex-wife Jamie (Catherine Keener) is getting re-married and she takes John to a party in the hope that he'll find himself a girlfriend. He does, in the form of a beautiful woman named Molly (Marisa Tomei). When John becomes curious about Molly's secretive nature he follows her home and meets her 21-year-old son Cyrus (Hill). Cyrus comes off a bit weird, but friendly but John notices the relationship between Molly and Cyrus is rather unconventional; they share a close bond that borders on the near incestuous. John becomes suspicious of Cyrus' motives very quickly, but finds himself in a rut not wanting to damage his new relationship with Molly.

The film moves at a very quick pace and boasts a solid script although writer/directors Jay & Mark Duplass do allow their actors a lot of room for improvisation. Their characters are rather unconventional, but realistic and the film plays off their reactions to the awkwardness around them perfectly. There's a refreshing dynamic between the characters too, especially between John and his ex-wife Jamie. This is not a bickering, spiteful former couple but a mature, supporting one. They have a camaraderie with each other that we don't see often and it doesn't seem like a stretch. The always reliable Catherine Keener is perfectly charming and believable as a woman who wants her ex-husband to find happiness and is willing to set aside important things in her life to lend an ear.

Much of the film is an exercise in understatement. Reilly has proved his acting chops, but it's nice to see him take a break to do something a bit more down-to-earth. He nails the role of the confused, but well-meaning John who has finally found something special and is determined to make it work. Tomei is always good at playing sweet, but she has to add a level of maturity, dedication, and obliviousness with slightly Oedipal overtones into a convincing, subtle performance. In doing this, she makes a complicated role effortless. Hill hasn't gotten too much notice for his performance, but it's a substantial turn from his typical stuff. The role of Cyrus requires Hill to seem well-mannered, manipulative, and child-like while still getting an audience to empathize with him. This is a psychologically complex role that Hill really steps up to the plate for. His performance as Cyrus is
really something special and a small step into proving himself as an actor that can handle both comedy and drama. While he doesn't completely abandon that Jonah Hill persona, there are more layers to this performance than many will admit or give him credit for.

The roles are well-written, but it's the understated performances that really bring these characters off the page. Had any actor made a slight misstep, it could've derailed the film's credibility. This is especially true in a film that relies on character interaction, where the slightest wrong nuance could've killed a whole scene's credibility. This is a film that relies on it's actors ability and there's some great comedic banter between John and Cyrus, each trying to gain the upper hand for Molly's affection juxtaposed with some very realistic, dramatic exchanges. The dialogue isn't flashy movie dialogue; it's very subtle, straight-forward and has much more of an impact in the loose, improvisational delivery.

The film's cinematography (even for those who don't know what cinematography is) may take some getting used too. It makes frequent use of the zoom lens and feels amateurish, but it eventfully becomes apparent that it's perfectly suited for the tone of the movie. As I said, this is not a film for the people the marketing tried to gear it towards. Many will be disappointed, but you've been warned.

Cyrus is a wonderful surprise. An understated, underrated, low-key blend of comedy and drama that provides chuckles and a fair amount of poignancy. It's a smart film that gives some terrific actors the chance to really make use of their skills and it's one of my favorite films of 2010. If you're in the mood for something a little different, you'll find Cyrus to be quite a treat.

GRADE: A-

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Creepy Great January 15, 2011

By Eric Sanberg

Format:DVD

I remember this getting very good reviews upon its theatrical release but, it was in and out in a short time so, it didn't seem to pick up much steam. This is the kind of movie for which video was meant. Anyone and everyone can have access at any time. You don't need to live near a highly populated area or an art house theater that could support this type of release.

I was looking forward to seeing this but I wasn't prepared for just how good it would be. This is independent film making at its best. It's all writing and acting. There are only a few sets and characters here. The music is played by only a few instruments but it's great. It's shot and cut well so there are no distractions pulling the viewer away from what is happening on the screen.

John C. Reilly has been divorced from Catherine Keener for seven years and has really never gotten over it. He meets Marisa Tomei at a party and things instantly begin to look up. As their relationship gets deeper a dark cloud appears in the form of her 22 year old son (played with major creepiness by Jonah Hill). He still lives with mom and they have a very peculiar relationship. Though it's a co-dependent sort of thing it becomes clear during the proceedings who the manipulator is. Will the love birds find true happiness in the end.

The writing here is as good as I've ever seen. Certain scenes work on so many levels they require more than one viewing to digest them. I like Reilly but, for my money, this is far and away the best he's ever done. Likewise, I like Tomei, and again she shows herself to be one of the best actresses around. Jonah Hill has done well in his other outings but, again, here he's over and above. Keener is always good, as she is here but maybe not more so than in her other films.

I cannot say enough about this movie. It's so unexpected in so many ways. It rarely takes the turns you expect. Everyone involved seemed to 'get it.' If you like indy movies you may want to move this to the head of the line. It's well worth it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Serious issues April 21, 2012

By R. Gawlitta

Format:DVD

John C Reilly got all the attention, but it's Jonah Hill who kicks butt as the "mama's boy from hell". It's certainly a low-budget Indie effort, but I applaud all involved; Marisa Tomei plays a woman at wit's end, Reilly plays a loveable schlub, and Catherine Keener watches it all from afar as if nothing could be more fun.

It's a new take on an old story, except the "kid" is in his 20's. I enjoyed the film; some clever banter.
Reilly got some award recognition, but it's Jonah Hill who makes it all interesting.

I'm glad I rented it, but wouldn't buy it for future viewings.