Movie Review "Jeff, Who Lives At Home"

Hey everyone!

My sister in-law recommended this title to me. The poster and the preview make it look a tad on the boring side, so I had been avoiding it. Finally after her CONSTANT nagging (2 texts), I gave in. So here we go...

Jeff, Who Lives At Home: (2011) - R (Drama/Comedy)
Starring Jason Siegel, Ed Helms, and Susan Sarandon
  

Overview - Jeff (Jason Siegel) is a bum who lives in his mom's basement, smokin da reefer. His big brother Pat (Ed Helms) has it all together. A job, a wife, and a happy life. Or does it just look that way?

Review - As I stated before, the poster and the trailer didn't cause me to rush right out and buy this one on blueray. Truthfully, if it wasn't on Netflix, I likely never would have watched it. However, the incessant begging of my sister in-law (she asked me once) forced my hand. Jason Siegel plays a pot-smoking bum who is 30 and still lives with mommy. She's trying to motivate him, but as many of us know, sometimes there are people who simply can not be motivated. No matter how hard you try, they just have to do things their own way, and skin their knees a few times. Siegel certainly looks the part for this role. A ratty hoodie and a cruddy pair of shorts are just about all that make up this gentleman's wardrobe. Convinced he needs a sign to make a significant change in his life (there's a sermon in there somewhere), he sits quietly in the basement and waits for the world to come and find him. Shoot over to Ed Helms, who plays his seemingly responsible older brother Pat. Pat has a steady job. Pat has a good marriage. Pat's got it all together. Or does he? As sad as it is, I think the Duplass brothers (the directors) captured a real relationship between the two brothers.  The dynamic they create touches on some very real issues I have seen in many families. I got annoyed with the fact that they utilized the shaky hand-held camera a bit too much (I'll never understand why film makers think it makes movies look better), but I am not going to strike a movie because of it. They address some delicate issues between the family members, like how one sibling always views the other as the favorite. Or that mommy is simply being an enabler. And maybe big brother isn't appreciative of where he is, or how he got there. The emotional nerves that the Duplass brothers hit in this movie were really needed to convey the story, and they hit the mark big time. A word of caution. There are some very emotional scenes that will have you reaching for your wife's sleeve to dry your man tears away. Just remember to claim you have allergies, and that men don't cry at movies. Susan Sarandon hasn't been in very much lately, and I was a little surprised to see she hasn't retired to Coco Beach by now. She does a stellar job as the brother's slightly depressed mom. After the death of her husband (not a spoiler), she decides it best to make sure her family is safe and secure. But she longs for adventure, and a taste of something new. Everyone needs a little danger and intrigue now and again, don't you think? I know that I, for one, am super ultra dangerous *cue no one agreeing with me*. Sarandon conveys a heart-felt need to support her boys, but yet a deep-seeded desire to be her own woman again. There are moments you will spit your beverage in laughter, and there are moments where you'll cry a river. But one thing you won't feel is disappointment in this movie. The film-makers found a way to get the movie, and it's principles, to really stick with you.

Overall I give this one a 3 1/2 out of 5. I would watch it again. I would recommend it to friends and family. I did not go to a 4 out of 5 because it is a little sad and I probably would not watch it repeatedly.

Things to watch out for in this film
1) A decent amount of swearing. There's about a 5 minute period where the F-bomb is dropped near 20 times, and there are a few more moments throughout the movie.
2) There is a lesbian kiss about 3/4 of the way into it. It's done as tasteful as a lesbian kiss scene can get.

Good suggestion secret sister in-law. Keep em comin!

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