Jason Segel, Ed Helms and Susan Sarandon star in Jeff, Who Lives at Home. Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
Do you think your life is filled with signs that guide you to your destiny? This concept is what Jeff tries to figure out in the Duplass brother’s new comedy Jeff, Who Lives at Home.
A pot-smoking, live-at-home son struggles to find meaning in his meaningless life after receiving a strange phone call from someone looking for “Kevin”. Things take a turn into “crazy town” when his journey becomes intertwined with his family’s varying dilemmas.
This was a completely original story that captured an interesting day in the life of three people, who were excellently played by Jason Segel, Ed Helms and the brilliant Susan Sarandon, whose charming performance delivered incredibly subtle nuances.
The filmmaking team of Jay and Mark Duplass (Cyrus) both wrote and directed this off-beat film. Their script features a plethora of comedy ranging from intelligent to immature – Most of which tickles the funny bone. The screenplay also features interesting stories, the likes of which are unexpected. The criticism comes in their directorial choice to shoot the movie as a documentary. The choppy handheld camera work was a constant distraction and succeeded only in taking the audience out of the movie.
Outside of this major flaw, the quirkiness and interesting character dramas actually make this unique movie enjoyable.
Bottom Line: You may not want him in your home, but Jeff and his family will surely deliver laughs.
Grade B
Runtime: 83 minutes
IMAX: No
3D: No
