Jeff Who Lives At Home Review

Jeff Who Lives At Home Review

 

 

Fresh from watching Tiny Furniture, the review of which you can read a bit further down, I was recommend this by Netflix. While I intended to see it at the cinema I didn't get round to it, which is a shame because I thoroughly enjoyed it. 

 

The film is a comedy/drama (but more so a drama) about two brothers, one of whom lives at home with his mother and the other with his partner. The film uses the Mel Gibson film Signs as an introduction, in which the main character Jeff played by Jason Segel talks about how he is obsessed with the film and its meaning. This leads onto a plot which is hard to describe, its all over the place but for a reason, and at first can seem slightly confusing. In Jeff's opening monologue he describes the film Signs in the same way, and the film seems to all stem from this monologue. To explain the plot would give the film away, it starts slowly, but soon soars into an emotional and life affirming conclusion, which is at times very moving.

 

The film has a definite 'indie' feel, which mostly comes from the camera work and script, both of which are unusual. The film is shot in a slightly documentary style shaky cam, not on the level of paranormal activity, but the quick zooms and drawbacks are reminiscent of a news broadcast, and add a level of realism instantly. The performances from all of the characters are brilliant, with particular attention to Jeff and his mother played by Susan Sarandon who plays a small but affecting part. The script is extremely well thought out, witty, funny, emotional and intelligent and never cliché. In fact one of the most impressive things about the film is that, while it may follow some of the same trails as a lot of indie films, it never succumbs to the sloppy, tiresome cliches of most Hollywood comedy dramas.

 

While the film may attempt to send up or make fun of similar plots from films like Magnolia or indeed the cited Signs, it succeeds in making a film that is funny, smart and self aware, and that in the end provides a touching and heart warming conclusion. If you need a film to cheer you up, make your life seem more worthwhile or to just have a laugh, this film is for you. Watch it now on Netflix US.

 

9/10