Cyrus

Directors Jay and Mark Duplass present numerous awkward, uncomfortable situations in this film about a social outcast named John (John C. Reilly) who meets Molly (Marisa Tomei) and falls in love. The sticking point in their relationship is Cyrus (Jonah Hill), Molly’s fully grown and extremely dependent son. The movie is often very funny, yet painful at the same time. Reilly is an expert at playing awkward situations, and his showdowns with Hill are often scary stuff. Cyrus will go to great lengths to keep his mom to himself, and John will do anything to smoke him out. A big revelation here is Hill, who is required to play someone other than his normal, wisecracking self. Cyrus is a complicated, screwed-up human being, and Hill runs with the character. This is not recommended for those looking for light, airy comedy: This one has some dark, evil heft.