Jason Segel as Jeff, who does indeed live at home
Release date: March 16, 2012
Written and Directed by: Jay Duplass and Mark Duplass
Cast: Jason Segel, Ed Helms, Susan Sarandon, Judy Greer, Rae Dawn Chong
Rating: R
Running Time: 83 minutes
In a meta cosmic world, perhaps the fact that we view, nay, behold a film about a man hell-bent on receiving some otherworldly sign … is a sign unto itself. For, yea, it has come to pass that the universe of Jeff, Who Lives at Home is its own microcosm, created by those writer/director brethren gods who call themselves “Duplass.” Verily, they are hospitable gods who treat us righteously and, upon our imminent departure from their gentle sphere, just may bestow upon us a parting gift of mind-altering self-knowledge. Or maybe, after the final credits, we’ll take heed of the mystical sign “EXIT,” and do just that … with big, goofy smiles plastered all over our faces.
Boy, oh boy, have these filmmaker boys grown up. From the mumblecore beginnings of Jay and Mark Duplass’ The Puffy Chair and Baghead, to their prior feature Cyrus (exhibiting a frantic oscillation between studio mainstream and indie), we’ve arrived at this latest venture, their very best yet. With the movie’s mix of veteran actors, a strong script that’s beautifully and purposely calibrated, and a directorial eye that maintains a consistent vision, we should all visit Jeff … even though he most certainly lives at home, and in his mother’s basement, no less.
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