Jeff, Who Lives at Home-2011

Directors Jay Duplass, Mark Duplass

Starring Jason Segel, Ed Helms

Scott’s Review #107

Reviewed July 12, 2014

Grade: B

I confess to not being a huge fan of Jason Segel.

Jeff, Who Lives at Home (2011) tells the story of a slacker who lives with his mother and in the shadow of his successful brother, played by Ed Helms.

He regularly smokes pot and looks for meaning in random occurrences.

One day, he begins an adventure when he believes he sees meaning in a phone call, and it sets up a series of mishaps involving his brother and estranged wife, played by Judy Greer.

The secondary story involves the mother (Susan Sarandon), who leads a dull life working a mundane job. She suddenly develops a secret admirer at her job.

The film was much better than expected.

As the movie unfolds, it becomes a day in the life of a dysfunctional yet loving family.

I expected a silly, dumb comedy given the star and the premise, but the film was much better than that. It is a nicely layered, touching movie with a message and a touch of spirituality.

I loved the ending and was impressed by the heartfelt nature of this small slice-of-life film.