The Puffy Chair - Austin American-Statesman movie review

'The Puffy Chair' is an indie charmer

By SARAH LINDNER
Austin American-Statesman

It's rare to see as much promise on display as you'll find in "The Puffy Chair."

The first thing that will strike you about the bittersweet road comedy is that you've probably spent more on lunch at Whole Foods than the filmmakers shelled out to create this movie. It's that low-fi.

Roadside Attractions

'The Puffy Chair'

4 out of 5 stars

The verdict: Grab a seat!

Director: Jay Duplass
Starring: Mark Duplass, Kathryn Aselton, Rhett Wilkins, Julie Fischer, Bari Dahan
Run time: 85 minutes
Rating: R for language.

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The second thing: You realize that everyone involved will probably be really famous someday soon.

Now, don't get us wrong: "The Puffy Chair" — written by and starring Mark Duplass and directed by his brother Jay — is a very indie comedy. Besides the low-budget look, it doesn't go out of its way to make you feel happy about life (expect some big wallops of sadness amid the laughs).

But the Duplasses, who are former Austinites, avoid the pretense and self-conscious quirks that plague the genre. And they remember something that many left-of-the-mainstream filmmakers forget: Be entertaining.

The plot of "The Puffy Chair" sends slackerish Josh (Duplass) on a road trip to pick up a recliner for his dad's birthday. Along for the ride are his girlfriend, Emily (Kathryn Aselton) and nutty brother Rhett (Rhett Wilkins). Complications, of course, ensue. The Duplasses get the giddy, playful highs and nerve-grating lows of a road trip exactly right. The dialogue is sharp but utterly natural, especially the so-real-it's-painful scenes as Josh and Emily miscommunicate. The actors, especially Aselton, have an easy charisma.

A charmer in itself, the film also holds the promise of great things to come from these filmmakers. Check out "The Puffy Chair" and be able to boast later: "I saw them when ..."