The Puffy Chair

I have always been intrigued by the independent film maker. Here are people that have a vision of how to tell a story, raise just enough funds to buy some cameras, lights and other necessary equipment and they shoot the movie. Not only do these films not have the expansive budgets so often provided by the mainstream studios, they also do not have the money oriented executives breathing down their necks. Since the cast and crew are not overly concerned with making a profit they can focus their energies on telling the story at hand. This is the case for Duplass brothers’ film ‘The Puffy Chair’. Older brother Jay directed the film while the younger sibling, Mark penned the script and stars in it. They take a time honored genre of the road trip flick and create a gentle, free flowing film that appeals to the humanity in us all.

As the film opens Josh (Mark Duplass) is having an argument with his girlfriend Emily (Kathryn Aselton). Josh is about to go on a road trip and Emily wants to go along. Although Josh initially refuses come the morning he is in front of her apartment with a boom box over his head standing in front of a rented truck. Emily’s happiness is soon abated when Josh stops off and picks up his brother Rhett (Rhett Wilkins). She had wanted a little alone time with Mark and now has to share him with his brother. The mission of the trip is to pick up a purple over stuffed recliner that is the duplicate of one they remember their father having when they young. Josh found it on E-Bay and now they set off from New York to pick the chair up and continue on to Atlanta, ultimately to present it as a birthday gift for dad. Emily’s concerns about not having time alone with Josh are realized when on the first night they stop at a little road side motel. In order to save ten dollars Josh wants to sneak Emily and Rhett into the room.

Josh is the type of young man who resists growing up the best he can. His band has just folded so now he tries to earn a living by promoting other bands. Rhett is an experimental film maker who creates such works as footage of a lizard in the back yard. He is a pseudo hippy fully of mindless banter that seems to hide a more obnoxious side. Emily wants more out of her relationship with Josh but he is as unable to commit to her as he is to life. They argue almost constantly. The fact that he calls her ‘dude’ doesn’t seem to help a lot. Josh can’t even commit to their arguments; he takes a phone call right in the middle of one.

When they get to the place to pick up the chair it is nothing like they imagined. It is ripped, stained and covered with cigarette burns. Like many childhood memories Josh discovers that it is almost impossible to go back to that happy time in life. It’s not like the present is bound to create any happy memories. When Rhett meets a young woman, Amber (Julie Fischer) after meeting in a movie theater the new couple decides to get married. This pushes matters with Emily who now demands the same level of commitment from Josh. After a good amount of drinking Rhett and Amber decide that a little ceremony ‘officiated’ by Josh is fine but Emily is set of the real thing.

It is difficult at best to combine genres but the Duplass brothers manage to blend comedy and drama perfectly. The comedy is based on the simplistic situation of the road trip while the conflict needed for drama is created by the conflict between Emily and Josh. They can’t even sit in a theater alone without some argument breaking out. This film was shot in minimalist fashion. Reportedly it was budgeted for only $15,000 which is most likely less than most studio films pay for craft services. Instead of being hindered by the small amount of funding the Duplass brothers embrace it. The film has a natural fell to it. Some might say almost a documentary style but I felt it was more like a home movie. The Spartan nature of the film is almost like the experimental Dogme 95 films where music, props and lighting must all be natural and found on the location. For younger audiences they can identify directly with the characters. So many young people feel adrift that the situations presented here seem perfectly normal. For us older viewers there are times in our lives when we felt this dissociated and this film will bring back those feelings. There is no Hollywood glamour here, just an honest look at the lives of Emily and Josh.

There is a reason why this cast works so well together, they are real life friends. This is another advantage of small films like this; they are done with the people already around the film makers. Mark Duplass and his real life girlfriend Kathryn Aselton give wonderful performances. Duplass has the charm to make the audience understand why Emily puts up with him. He is a glib talker, always trying to get out of some situation or another and not above stretching the truth a bit. In every argument they have, and there are plenty here, Josh manages to win Emily back because he is so loveable. Aselton is incredible as Emily. She is beautiful in that girl next door sense that will appeal to everyone. For the ladies out there she can be the best friend. Men will want to protect her and make sure Josh treats her right. Rhett Wilkins does extremely well as the misguided third wheel. He is always a presence even when he is not actually engaged in the conversation. He also makes it believable that Rhett is so desperate for a connection with another human being and perhaps a little jealous of his brother’s relationship that it seems natural that he should want to marry Amber after only a few hours of knowing her.

If you do not have a local art house cinema than a distributor like Genius Products is one you should get to know. They bring to DVD little films that you most likely never heard of but are well worth having. The Puffy Chair is a perfect example of this. Unless you are up on the Indy circuit you probably missed this one. Thanks to Genius now you can give it an honored place in your collection. The anamorphic 1.85:1 video is excellent considering the mood and feel of the piece. The color palette is well balanced and understated. The hues are natural, the focus goes out occasionally adding to the home made, natural feel of the movie. The Dolby stereo audio is clear and without any distortion. There are also some extras to enjoy. There is a commentary track by the Duplass brothers that is as funny as the film. There are also some outtakes from the film that demonstrate just how well the cast and crew got along with each other. In addition there are some short films by the brothers, a few of their skits and an interview. This film was nominated for the prestigious John Cassavetes Award at the 2006 Independent Sprit Film Festival as well as winning the Audience Award at the 2005 South By Southwest Film Competition. When you are tired of the special effects put this film in your DVD player and enjoy a well told story.

Posted 01/15/07