Director: Jay Duplass
Starring: Jonah Hill, Marisa Tomei and John C. Reilly
‘A Meaningful Masterpiece’
Not many actresses in Hollywood are as iconic today as Marisa Tomei. Ever since her rise to recognition in the 1990’s, Tomei has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s aunts of comic book heroes, strippers or crazy stupid lovers, Tomei has portrayed several compelling characters. Arguably, Tomei’s finest strength as a modern actress is her commitment. She is one of those rare actresses that has often poured both her heart and soul into every role. Tomei has rarely been afraid taking risks in her career depicting characters that aren’t often likeable. Through her abilities to portray strong women which are compelling, the actress has built a legacy that is lasting. An icon in the modern entertainment business, Tomei has often performed each and every role with commitment. Shining a light in darkness, the actress has become a beloved icon in a modern-day entertainment business. Throughout her strong career, Tomei has made several movies that are without a doubt worth talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Tomei and adore all the films she has made in her career. However, “Cyrus” is my favourite. Released in 2010, Jay Duplass’ movie offered a powerful portrait of divorced men. Packed with strong production, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the greatest romantic dramas ever made. At a centre of it all is an incredible performance by Marisa Tomei, who portrays a divorced woman facing a painful price to pay. Ultimately, what makes “Cyrus” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about divorce, the movie tackles themes that everyone will relate to. A spellbinding masterpiece about divorce, there are many strong reasons why “Cyrus” is a commemorated movie that is worth watching.
“Cyrus” tells a story of a woman which has a romance relationship that’s dangerous. Marisa Tomei portrays Molly Fawcett, a young woman in a broken marriage. Molly has always shared a conflicted bond with her mentally ill younger son Cyrus (Jonah Hill). Cyrus is a troubled teen with a habit of engaging in illicit misbehaviour. Molly’s life seems to have lost all hope facing a frightening existential crisis. However, Molly’s life forever changes when she falls in love with a divorced man which causes a disaster. John Kilpatrick (John C. Reilly) is a divorcee seeking to overcome his past marriage tragedy. As all the odds are stacked against her favour, Molly questions whether it’s possible for her to deal with her son that causes disaster. Faced with a dilemma, Molly questions whether it’s possible to overcome doomed marriage which causes trauma.
Mark Duplass is a newcomer to the themes of divorce. Before he made “Cyrus”, Duplass had never made a film about divorce in his career before. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the barriers faced by divorced men in relationships facing adversities but he pulled it off effectively. Using stunning cinematography, Duplass captures a divorced woman going on a journey to find her identity. Emulating Robert Redford’s “Ordinary People”, Duplass expertly uses point of view shots to capture hardships divorced men go through. For instance, POV shots enhance the romantic meetings scene. During this memorable scene, Molly has her first meeting with John starting their romantic affair. Through stunning POV shots, Duplass crafts a romantic relationship thats engaging. POV shots are tricky techniques to use in film. As Jon Watts’ “Spider-Man: No Way Home” did claim clearly, POV shots enhance comic-book movies. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through breathtaking visuals, Duplass captures the tensions that divorced men are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Cyrus” which merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Duplass expertly uses costumes to capture tensions that divorced women stuck in doomed relationships are facing. For instance, the costumes elevate the son meeting scene. During this unforgettable scene, Cyrus has an intense confrontation with his mom about her new boyfriend causing tensions. Using strong costumes, Duplass creates a romantic drama that’s engaging. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Michael Andrews’ music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie an intense atmosphere capturing the burden that divorced women bear. Using bold production, Duplass captures divorced women that endure tension.
Storytelling is one of the central reasons why “Cyrus” is a romantic drama that’s engaging. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses silence to capture doomed relationships affected by divorce experience. For instance, silence enhances the farewells scene. During this unforgettable scene, Molly bids emotional farewell to Cyrus as she embarks upon a trip. Through silence, Duplass creates a portrait of divorce which audiences can easily relate to. Silence is a tricky technique to use in movies. George Clooney’s “The Ides of March” claimed that silence enhances political dramas. Todd Field’s “In the Bedroom” demonstrated silence elevates movies about grief. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through a bold screenplay, Duplass demonstrates divorced men which experience an intense process to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Marisa Tomei delivers one of her finest career performances as Molly Fawcet. Tomei earned appreciations for playing grieving women in dramas. With “Cyrus”, however, she took on her most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a depressed woman facing adversity, but she succeeds tremendously. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her before: intense, charismatic and emotional in her most iconic role. Tomei has often excelled playing women under stress, and “Cyrus” showcased her best strength as an actress. With bold expressions, he captures the angst, grief and resentment of a woman facing tensions. It’s an extraordinary performance from one of the finest actresses today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Marisa Tomei, the supporting cast is also amazing and worthy of appreciation. John C. Reilly is remarkable, capturing the bravery of a divorced man engaging in a doomed romantic relationship causing adversities. Jonah Hill is fantastic, capturing the uphill battles faced by a teenager which has dreams to fulfill. Lastly, Catherine Keener merits appreciations. As a female psychiatrist, she brings wisdom to the movie.
Finally, “Cyrus” would earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing romantic relationships that are dangerous. Unlike most movies about divorce, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It discusses strong themes of identity, mental health and trauma which will resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with the stories of divorced women to enjoy it. It delivers a strong message about mental health which resonates with everyone. Therefore, “Cyrus” is one of those rare movies about divorce which would resonate amongst everyone.
Fans of Marisa Tomei would definitely enjoy “Cyrus” and so would movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A riveting drama, it honours an actress with charisma.
Nearly 15 years following the release of a groundbreaking romantic drama about women facing relationships that are tragic, it’s a fantastic reminder of a commemorated actress that has manufactured an iconic career through her abilities to portray compelling characters in movies that have captivated the public.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 