Ed Helmsis among the many stars of the American reboot ofThe Officethat used the sitcom’s popularity to launch a successful career in comedy films. Andy Bernard was among themost likable characters onThe Officebecause of his completely earnest lack of self-awareness, and the sheer goofiness that Helms brought to the role made him one of the wackier figures on a show that already had its fair share of exaggerated characters. While his knack for eccentricity signified his comedic talents,Helms is also a more talented dramatic actorthan he is given credit for. Helms proved inMarkandJay Duplass’ 2012 independent comedyJeff, Who Lives At Homethat he could bring both humor and pathos to a flawed character in a “slice of life” dramedy.
Jeff Who Lives at Home
Dispatched from his basement room on an errand for his widowed mother, slacker Jeff might discover his destiny (finally) when he spends the day with his unhappily married brother as he tracks his possibly adulterous wife.
‘Jeff, Who Lives at Home’ Features a More Mature Ed Helms Performance
Jeff, Who Lives At Homecenters on the unemployed stoner Jeff Tompkins –Jason Segelin one ofhis best film roles, who avoids adult responsibilities by spending the majority of his life in his mother Sharon’s (Susan Sarandon) basement. Jeff struggles with anxiety and does his best to avoid any responsibilities that could add unneeded stress to his life. This becomes more difficult when he reunites with his brother, Pat (played by Helms), an aspiring businessman with a significant ego. Although Pat refuses to admit that he wants (or needs) his brother’s help, he begins to suspect that his wife Linda (Judy Greer) is having an affair. As Pat recruits Jeff to help spy on Linda, the two brothers end up sharing a bonding experience as they reassess their priorities.
Thechemistry between Segel and Helmsis what makesJeff, Who Lives At Homeso effective. Although their adventure gets them into a few strange situations, the film analyzes real issues regarding loneliness, marital indiscretion, and sibling rivalry. Helms is great at showing how Pat’s arrested development is different from Jeff’s —even though Jeff is the one who has never left his mother’s basement, Pat still holds on to childish feelings of jealousy and self-obsession. It’s evident that both characters need to evolve, but Pat has the more difficult journey. While Jeff simply needs to open himself up to new experiences, Pat needs to change the outlook that he has on life. While characters experiencing a midlife crisis is a common theme inthe Duplass brothers’ films,Jeff, Who Lives At Homeis able to show two different examples of immaturity.
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Jeff, Who Lives At Homewas one of the pivotal films within the “mumblecore” movement, a subsection of American independent cinema that involvedfilmmakers likeGreta Gerwig, Joe Swanberg, Lynn Shelton,and the Duplass brothers. Mumblecore films often focus on realistic dialogue, interpersonal relationships, and romantic struggles, and occasionally risk feeling uncinematic due to their improvisational quality.Jeff, Who Lives At Homestands out in comparison to other mumblecore filmsdue to its focus on Pat’s redemptive arc. Helms is perfect as a character who must win back the respect of his partner, and earn the emotional investment of the viewer.
Ed Helms Turns a Potentially Unlikable Character Into a Compelling Protagonist in ‘Jeff, Who Lives at Home’
Helms and Segels’brotherly chemistryis so good thatit’s easy to imagine what their relationship looked like as children.An early scene involves Pat forcing Jeff to spy on Linda’s interactions with another man while sitting at a restaurant. Although the situation obviously makes Jeff uncomfortable, Pat seems to pay no regard to his brother’s well-being. He’s so obsessed with confirming his wife’s loyalty that he doesn’t pay attention to the issues that are in front of him. It’s a compelling way to show Pat’s ignorance at play, and explains why his marriage has gone into such a downward spiral. Pat can’t be bothered to deal with an issue until he’s faced with the consequences. While Helms depicted a similar character arc with his role as Stuart Price inThe Hangoverfranchise,Jeff, Who Lives At Homeallowed him to play a more realistic character.
Helms’ performance is impressive becausea lesser actor could have made Pat a completely unlikable and irritable characterto follow for an entire film. Pat is often a jerk and seems to judge anyone who questions his behavior. However, Helms is able to show that all of Pat’s aggression comes from his feelings of insecurity. Pat drives a Porsche because it makes him feel superior, and avoids talking about his feelings because it makes him feel inferior. Helms makes Pat’s journey of self-reflection a rewarding one, as by the end ofJeff, Who Lives at Home, he realizes that the direction that his life is headed in is unsustainable. Helms shows how Pat acknowledges his flaws, and attempts to make positive changes in his life in what is a sensitive deconstruction ofthe pressures of masculinity. However, Helms never glorifies Pat’s obnoxious behavior, and it’s evident that for the majority of the film, the audience is supposed to be laughing at Pat, not with him.
Helms' Performance in ‘Jeff, Who Lives at Home’ Shows His Talents as a Dramatic Actor
Although many ofHelms’ best films are comedies,Jeff, Who Lives At Homeallows him to show his talents as a dramatic actor. One of the pivotal sequences in the film involves Jeff and Pat reminiscing about their father as they visit his grave. Although the scene has an element of awkward humor, Helms shows how Pat’s unwillingness to be sincere is just an attempt to mask his grief. He is also able to explore how Pat’s lack of imagination makes it more difficult for him to find the same passion in life that Jeff does. While Jeff believes in a higher purpose and thinks that he has a preordained destiny, Pat doesn’t give any credibility to something that he doesn’t understand. Although this may give him a more realistic outlook on life compared to Jeff, it also makes him less happy. This may also explain why Pat feels so protective over what he thinks he “owns.”
All this to say,Jeff, Who Lives At Homeis an underrated gem that showed Helms’ diverse talents as a character actor. While his performances inThe Hangovertrilogy andThe Officeallowed him to develop a strain of identifiable “quirks,”Jeff, Who Lives At Homeindicated that Helms doesn’t have to replicate the same comedic performances. In recent years, he’s expanded his roles in independent films with his performances in the marital dramedyTogether, Togetherandthe biopicChappaquiddick, butJeff, Who Lives At Homecan be credited with kickstarting a new era within his career.
Jeff, Who Lives At Homeis currently available to stream on Pluto TV in the U.S.
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