Big Picture Big Sound

Mommie's Dearest

There are plenty of movies about sons with inappropriate feelings for their mothers -- thank you, Freud -- but seeing that unfold between Jonah Hill and Marisa Tomei feels like a whole new adventure. That is the case in "Cyrus," an impressive dark comedy from brothers Jay and Mark Duplass, in which John C. Reilly's character becomes the third point of a rather-bizarre triangle.

Seven years ago, John (Reilly) was left behind by his fed-up wife (Catherine Keener), who is now engaged to someone else (Matt Walsh). His dating life has been stagnant ever since and full of self-love sessions to compensate. Things turn in his favor when he goes to a party and meets Molly (Tomei), an attractive, fun-loving woman who isn't above contributing to his drunken rendition of Human League's "Don't You Want Me?" It's the start of something special -- until he swings by her house uninvited and meets her 21-year-old son/roommate Cyrus (Hill).

Their relationship is, um, different. They never lock doors, even when showering; they take daily trips to the park together; and they don't seem to have any other people close to them. It's not a sexual bond but it's not exactly welcoming to outsiders. Cyrus feels threatened by John and Molly's mutual interest and acts out in all kinds of manipulative ways, from stealing his white tennis shoes to moving out abruptly. He does this while maintaining a straight face and a polite voice, giving the appearance of an adult while behaving as a conniving child. Molly doesn't see through it but John sure does, and a battle of wits ensues.

"Cyrus" is a really funny flick that tackles disturbing themes and tension with gusto. The acting is fantastic all around -- would you expect anything less from Reilly? (If so, shame on you.) Tomei churns out another stellar performance after "The Wrestler" and Hill, who seems to be popping up in every movie these days, proves that he can handle scaled-back indie fare.

Barring some annoying camera work and an ending that feels too neatly wrapped, the Duplass brothers excel with the film, which won't disappoint fans of their previous effort, "The Puffy Chair." When it comes to well-acted dark comedies with screwy family dynamics, it doesn't get much better than "Cyrus."