Jeff is 30 years old and, as the title implies, still lives with Mommy. He has no job and apparently no hobbies other than smoking illegal drugs. But what pushes this movie beyond the others of this genre are two facts. One, he's not the only member of his family who hasn't moved on and, two, he's a gentle giant with a big, wonderful heart, played by the Teddy Bearish Jason Segel.Jeff's mother, the brilliant Susan Sarandon, and his brother, a deadpan Ed Helms, are stuck in a rut, too. Ever since Jeff's dad died about 15 years ago.
Now, Jeff searches for signs to illuminate the path he should take. The first appears while he's flopping on the couch at home. Where else? Is it a false sign or the beginning of a journey that propels him beyond his stasis?
Jeff's childlike belief in signs, his generosity of spirit and his acceptance of differences is what elevates this flick above some mundane writing and questionable plotting.
As she was leaving the theater, the Movie Slut asked a fellow moviegoer what she thought of the film.
"About halfway through, I thought I'd thrown out my $10," the woman said. "Then it all came together and I really liked this movie."
The MS cheers, "Ditto."
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