Zack Gill
Arts Editor
For years, the Duplass brothers have made acclaimed films on their own terms and outside of the Hollywood system, using largely improvised dialogue and incredibly lo-fi film making techniques.
However, their latest film, “Jeff, Who Lives at Home,” marks the second time after 2010’s “Cyrus” that the Duplass brothers have opted to use bankable Hollywood stars, such as Jason Segel and Susan Sarandon, in place of their usual use of amateur actors.
“Jeff, Who Lives at Home” is an offbeat and somewhat off-putting film with unlikeable and often annoying characters, elusive zen machinations and a continuation of the Duplass’ rudimentary technical style. Still, the small ensemble gives stellar performances that make the often-dramatic film bizarrely thought-provoking.
As hinted by the film’s title, Jeff (Segel) is 30 years old, unemployed and lives at home in his mother’s basement. He spends his days smoking cannabis, watching television and looking for a sign from the universe about his purpose in life.
Jeff’s brother Pat (Ed Helms), who is in a failing marriage with Linda (Judy Greer), thinks Jeff is a loser. Jeff’s mother (Surandan) is equally fed up with Jeff when she sends him on a quest to purchase wood glue and fix a broken shingle.
On his quest to the hardware store, Jeff runs into Pat after following what he believes are more signs from the universe. Pat and Jeff witness Linda lurking about with another man and decide to confront her while their mother deals with a secret admirer.
“Jeff, Who Lives at Home” is brave enough to have unlikable characters. The audience receives very little back-story about Jeff and, therefore, doesn’t really place much sympathy with him. Pat is petty and inconsiderate, and their mother is whiny.
Most films want the audience to identify with their characters right away, but “Jeff, Who Lives at Home” isn’t most films. The audience’s inherent dislilke for the characters adds a realistic dimension to the film and makes it more devastating when the characters learn about their flaws and try to improve themselves.
For the most part, Sarandon’s secret-admirer subplot is formless and stagnant. It only serves to break the pace between segments with Jeff and Pat often bringing the film’s speed to a screeching halt.
However, the plot arguably builds to the most interesting conclusion of any of the film’s many tangents. The Duplasses have managed to make a film that is simultaneously surprising and conventional. Likewise, the film comes to an unlikely conclusion that surprises audiences.
Segel is completely convincing and occasionally devastating as the loser Jeff. Helms embodies his character’s extreme desperation and Sarandon utilizes the best of her mostly weak material. Greer once again proves she is swift and able in roles that call equally for comedic timing and dramatic ability.
“Jeff, Who Lives at Home” is a conflicted, ambitious and even a somewhat mildly pretentious film. It’s a comedy that eventually aspires to become a drama and isn’t entirely sure if it succeeds. Still, it’s interesting to watch throughout the entire run.
“Jeff who lives at home” is rated R and is now playing in limited release.
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