Cyrus

Movie review by S. Jhoanna Robledo, Common Sense Media
Cyrus Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 17+

Indie romcom swaps raunchiness for quirkiness.

R 2010 92 minutes
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Parents say

age 16+

Based on 2 reviews

Kids say

age 11+

Based on 2 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this indie comedy about a romance that's hampered by an adult child's fixation with his mother stars Jonah Hill of teen favorites like Superbad and Knocked Up. While this movie isn't as raunchy or over-the-top as those comedies, the subject matter may still be too mature for young teens, and the Oedipus complex references confusing. Expect some swearing (including "s--t" and "f--k") and drinking and a few awkward sexual situations (including a scene that implies masturbation), though little nudity.

Community Reviews

Chuck Reid
Chuck Reid Adult
March 30, 2012
age 16+

This movie is OK.

This movie is OK.It was not terrible nor was it a masterpiece.The jokes were funny but I was just PLAIN BORING.The lines were good so was the voice acting.
khan2705
khan2705 Adult
December 6, 2010
age 16+

indie witty comedy, pretty good.

With John's social life at a standstill and his ex-wife about to get remarried, a down on his luck divorcée finally meets the woman of his dreams, only to discover she has another man in her life - her son. Still single seven years after the breakup of his marriage, John has all but given up on romance. But at the urging of his ex-wife and best friend Jamie, John grudgingly agrees to join her and her fiancé Tim at a party. To his and everyone else's surprise, he actually manages to meet someone: the gorgeous and spirited Molly. Their chemistry is immediate. The relationship takes off quickly but Molly is oddly reluctant to take the relationship beyond John's house. Perplexed, he follows her home and discovers the other man in Molly's life: her son, Cyrus. A 21-year-old new age musician, Cyrus is his mom's best friend and shares an unconventional relationship with her. Cyrus will go to any lengths to protect Molly and is definitely not ready to share her with anyone. this movie was really odd and different, seeing John C Reilly and Jonah Hill in a Indie Offbeat comedy was a big surprise.extremely odd and witty comedy i liked it. the reviews made me watch this movie and i would say its one of the best comedies. though u won't laugh that much as in but the situations in the movie are wickedly funny. this movie is very well directed, written well. screenplay is good and engaging, it is never boring at all even though the movie itself is very slow. but that what it is, content and the phase is slow but what goes in it is interesting that doesn't bore you. dialogues are good. camera work is good too. John c Reilly delivers a very good performance, he should be appreciated, best comic performance. he is so fit in his role. Jonah hill was ok, playing wicked and odd guy suits him but an ok performance. on the other hand Marisa Tomei is good too, she is very good, acts really well. Catherine Keener was ok. so acting wise good. Duplass Brother's best comedy. the script is very mature, adult comedy. i love the strange and odd plot of this movie which is really interesting and makes you stick to this movie. a well made witty comedy indie style. watch it.

This title has:

Too much sex
Too much swearing
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

John's (John C. Reilly) ex-wife (Catherine Keener) just announced that she's getting remarried. The news serves as a wake-up call: He can no longer lament the rut he's in without attempting to leave it. How perfect, then, that he meets Molly (Marisa Tomei) at a party. She shares his vulnerably wacky sensibility, and they hit it off famously ... but there's another man in her life: her 21-year-old son, the eponymous Cyrus (Jonah Hill), who's none too pleased to be sharing the woman who once lived only for him. Let the games begin.

Is It Any Good?

CYRUS will never be mistaken for a typical romantic comedy. Awkward, surprising, and, yes, funny, it swerves when you expect it to stall, slows when you think it will gain speed, and turns dark when you expect it to lighten. And the filmmakers take a gimmick-free approach that wisely avoids the swelling, manipulative soundtrack and cutesy setups of more conventional romcoms.

Reilly and Tomei make an unusual, compelling couple; John and Molly are at ease with their limitations and eager to try for happily ever after, and i's refreshing to see a movie pairing that's not all gloss and no substance. And as the son who just can't let go of Mom, Hill is a joy, particularly when he goes face to face -- literally -- with Reilly in witty verbal skirmishes. All of that said, it's hard not to wonder what would have happened had the filmmakers given into the crazy, unleashing both the unruly Hill we've known and loved in movies like Superbad and the feral Reilly that simmers under his gentle surface. The result might have been more typical, but it might also have been more, well, fun.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Molly's relationship with Cyrus. Does it seem realistic? How do you think it got to the point it is in the movie?

  • Who do you think this movie is intended to appeal to? Hill's teenage fans? People who enjoy indie comedies?

Movie Details

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