JEFF, WHO LIVES AT HOME
US, 2011, 84 minutes, Colour.
Jason Segel, Ed Helms, Susan Sarandon, Judy Greer, Rae Dawn Chong.
Directed by Jay Duplass, Mark Duplass.
The Duplass Brothers have made idiosyncratic films, Many of which focus on family: The Puffy Chair, Cyrus, The Do-Deka-Pentathlon?. This film is probably more accessible than the others.
It takes place over one day. Jeff (Jason Segal) is a genial, somewhat oafish slacker who lives at home, watches Signs, muses over coincidences and destiny, and smokes pot. His widowed mother, Sharon (Susan Sarandon), is efficient at work but phones Jeff to go out to get glue to fix a shutter and phones her other son, Pat (Ed Helms) to motivate his brother. However, Pat is obtuse in his relationship with his wife, Linda (Judy Greer) and she is disillusioned. At work, Sharon receives anonymous computer messages from a secret admirer.
Once Jeff goes out, following signs to do with the name, Kevin, which an anonymous caller had pushed on him, and all kinds of episodes, some funny, some serious, some ironic, follow until the main characters all find themselves in a traffic jam on a bridge after an accident. Jeff spontaneously becomes a hero and the family resolve some of their differences. An optimistic ending.
1. The long day in the life of five characters? The characters themselves, strengths and flaws? Situations, conflicts, resolution? An optimistic ending and perspective?
2. Louisiana, the town, Baton Rouge, homes, streets, restaurants, the neighborhoods, the cemetery, basketball, motel, the bridge? Authentic feel? Musical score?
3. The title, the focus on Jeff, the tone, slacker, humorous, ironic? The introduction and his long speech about the movie, Signs, the details of the film, conclusions about destiny? Pot-smoKing? The phone call, the name, Kevin? His deciding that this was the sign? Jeff and his age, vague, yet intelligent, his dead father, the photos, his mother at work?
4. The phone call, the name of Kevin, the voice and tone? His mother wanting him to get the glue to mend the cupboard? His going out, waiting for the bus, Kevin on the bus, Jeff getting off, following him, playing basketball, his successful play, Kevin’s invitation to smoke pot, his being mugged and robbed? Kevin’s apology?
5. The contrast with Pat, Pat and his wife that breakfast, Pat’s Manner of talking, talking down, Linda’s exasperation? The discussion about owning their house, the budget? Pat and his buying the Porsche, Linda tipping rubbish on it? Pat unable to listen? Meeting Jeff, showing off, the car, speeding, the crash, the couple demanding $500? Seeing Linda at the restaurant, suspicions?
6. The restaurant and the place and hiding, Jeff going in, bribing the woman for the special place, listening to Linda and Steve, placing the phone so the Pat could hear? Linda’s very personal confiding Steve? The tow-truck taking the Porsche? Pat chasing it? His being caught by Linda?
7. Kevin and the truck for the candy, Jeff following, the trip, ending up at the motel?
8. Steve, his sympathetic ear for Linda? Going for ice, Pat and Jeff following, trying to bash the door, Jeff holding Steve, the frank talk between Linda and Pat, his inability to hear, talking down to her, her desperation, leaving?
9. Jeff and Pat, talking in the bath, Jack’s wise ideas, urging Pat to speak to Linda from the gut?
10. Susan Sarandon has Sharon, at work, her age, experience? The phone calls to each son, urging Jeff to act, Pat to support his brother? At the computer, the messages, the secret admirer, confiding in Carol during lunch, going to the water fountain, the chance encounter with the Man, his friendliness, bewilderment, Sharon’s embarrassment? Talking with Carol, seeing the tattoo, realizing the truth, talking with carol, the kiss, the deciding to go to town?
11. The bridge, the pileup, each of the characters being there, the chase, the gathering?
12. The crash, Jeff diving into the water, saving the little girls, Pat’s jumping in to save Jeff, his relief at Jeff’s being revived?
13. Jeff watching the television, the report of his heroism?
14. The final party, Sharon’s birthday, the cake and candles, everybody there to celebrate? Hope?
