It sparkles with some genuinely hilarious moments and, unlike mainstream comedy dramas these days, things don't pan out the way you'd expect.
Top-rate cast keep discomforting drama grounded in reality
This goes for naturalistic acting and wry observation, and doesn't quite give us enough of anything.
The Duplasses' technical clumsiness is clearly a badge of authenticity and their well-acted movie is affecting and truthful.
Don’t expect big laughs, but several smiles and more than a few squirms are guaranteed.
There are very few films, of whatever type, that actually surprise us, so when one does come along it's tempting to whoop.
In the hands of conventional filmmakers, this would be just another high-concept comedy bearing no resemblance to real life, but the Duplasses focus on drawing believable characterisation from their actors in even the broadest comic scenarios, resulting in supremely awkward but breathtakingly truthful comedy.
Cyrus deserves credit for having some modest ambition, but it isn't the Daddy.
As for the Duplass brothers, they've managed to make a mainstream, accessible film that subverts some the conventions of the genre they're working in without losing their voice. You can't ask for more than that.
It’s funny, but edgy, too: you feel as if something very bad could happen.
General release. Check local listings for show times.