The Puffy Chair

I saw "The Puffy Chair" at South by Southwest, and it is an excellent film. It is genuine, thoughtful, and alternately hilarious and melancholy. It deserves to be the new "Garden State."

The movie's premise is simple: Josh and his girlfriend Emily go on a road-trip to pick up an old puffy recliner that Josh won on ebay and bring it to his dad for his birthday. Along the way, they stop to visit brother, a well-meaning but slightly insane lover of all things - especially nature and women - who ends up tagging along. One of the funniest scenes in the movie occurs when the three attempt to stay at a motel in Virginia but only pay for one person to save ten bucks; the ridiculous scheming (which of course backfires) to save a few bucks is on par with any of George Costanza's finest moments. The exchanges between brothers remind me of my banter with my own siblings, and the relationship that Josh and Emily have feels both unique and universal. The direction and and hand-held camera work give the film a documentary feel that really works well, and the music blends well with what is going on. The director and screenwriter used their low budget to great advantage, keeping things totally authentic; eliminating the documentary-style camera and getting rid of the improvisation would have ruined the mood of the movie.

Overall, the film moves seamlessly from comedy to melancholy and from jubilant romantic beginnings to bittersweet possible endings. If you get a chance to see this flick, give it a try: it's short and sweet, but it will stay with you for a while.

By all accounts, most reviewers liked this film. I did not find the male characters likable. I did not find the story likable. I did not find the production likable. I did find this film a total waste of time.

THE PUFFY CHAIR is a nostalgic journey of the heart. Mark Duplass' characters take you along this funny yet painfully true adventure of love and self discovery. The entire cast is to be commended for such natural and endearing moments. Although Julie Fischer is not a main character, her beauty and aura make her scenes glow. Mark Duplass and Kathryn Aselton play wonderfully off each other, throwing tension back and forth like a stick of dynamite. And Rhett Jordan adds harmony, playing the irresistible goofy sibling. Jay Duplass perfectly sets the film's mood and pace with some shots that took my breath away and made me ache for simpler times. I look forward to future projects by the talented Duplass Brothers but THE PUFFY CHAIR deserves to be seen by a larger audience. So go out and find it.

Without having read a single review or write-up on or offline prior to seeing this movie I can easily believe all that passed before my eyes and through my ears while all comfy in the nearest indie-Edwards. It's a must that be stated first because, although I almost disliked the movie based upon it's ending and the handling of certain situations involving the main characters and problems presented; one can't NOT like the way humor and love weaves it's way in and out of the real-life docu-drama as it unfolds...seemingly, over and over again.

Thankfully 'things' come to a close in a timely manner and you're left to contemplate life's journey and your association with it all.

Enjoy.

I was lucky enough to see "The Puffy Chair" at Sundance this year, I had to fight for a seat and it was worth it. The movie is explores two relationships, one between two brothers and another between one of the brothers and his girlfriend. The characters are right out of life, totally real and funny. The directing and acting is excellent and it never misses an opportunity to sharpen the portrait of these muddled angels. The Chair in the title refers to a gift for the brothers' father that becomes a catalyst for not only the road trip that forms the spine of this excellent film, but inflames all the character's flaws and passions to hilarious dénouement. More than once I heard people saying that there were scenes out of their own lives on the screen in the "Puffy Chair"; I wish that we could all see ourselves as precisely and humorously as the Duplass brothers do. I eagerly look forward to their next project.