Jeff, Who Lives at Home

Contemporary issues of a family in crisis is the subject of brother directors Mark and Jay Duplass' fourth feature.

In a different comedic role than in How I Met Your Mother and the Muppets, Jason Segal plays Jeff, an unemployed 30 years old who lives in his mother's basement, rarely venturing beyond his home, and waiting for a sign that will lead him to destiny.

The feature follows Jeff during an unforgettable single day. Jeff's exasperated working widowed mother Sharon (Susan Sarandon), tries to get Jeff off the couch and out of his comfort zone. She wishes Jeff could be more like his older brother Pat (Ed Helms), who is married and has a job. Pat's relationship with his wife Linda (Judy Greer) has been strained and worsened by the suspicion that she is having an affair. Meanwhile, Sharon is taken by a secret admirer at work.

In this enjoyable light comedy, the actors' cohesive chemistry is exalted by Susan Sarandon and Judy Greer's outstanding supporting performances and Duplass' well written script.

While delving into the complexities of human interactions, directors Duplass leave plenty of room for improvisation. Several closeup shots are captured through the use of a handheld camera tapping into the characters' divergent emotions and experiences that gradually strengthen and unify.