The Puffy Chair (2004)

76% of critics liked it
(51 reviews)
60% of users liked it
(4,453 ratings)

Dejected by his failure to achieve fame as a New York City indie-rocker and unable to figure out just when it was that his life took a sharp turn for the worse, a small-town boy who had once harbored big dreams for the future sets out on a cross-country adventure to give his father a birthday the… More Dejected by his failure to achieve fame as a New York City indie-rocker and unable to figure out just when it was that his life took a sharp turn for the worse, a small-town boy who had once harbored big dreams for the future sets out on a cross-country adventure to give his father a birthday the old man will never forget in director Jay Duplass' nostalgic road trip comedy. Josh (Mark Duplass) may not have found the success he was hoping for in the big city, but he's determined not to go back home empty-handed. When an eBay browsing session leads Josh to a vintage Lazy Boy recliner just like the one that used to grace his childhood living room, the loving son opts to purchase the purple relic and deliver it to his father as a surprise birthday gift. Josh's simple plan is suddenly complicated by the appearance of his emotionally demanding girlfriend, Emily (Kathryn Aselton), and his granola-munching brother, Rhett (Rhett Wilkins) -- who both insist on joining him on his homeward-bound mission. While the hapless would-be rocker sets out with them on a mission to deliver a piece of his childhood to his father back home, he might also learn a thing or two about himself and his relationships in the process. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 25 min.
Directed By: Jay Duplass
Written By: Mark Duplass, Jay Duplass
Genres: Drama, Art House & International, Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 1, 2005 Wide
On DVD: Jan 23, 2007
Studio: Roadside Attractions

Critic Reviews

Geoff Pevere, Toronto Star
The irony is, it's a journey with no escape.
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail
Too soon, the stuff that seemed charmingly idiosyncratic turns annoyingly odd and then just plain annoying.
Bill Stamets, Chicago Sun-Times
Built on beats of deadpan timing and splendidly understated reaction shots.
Jessica Reaves, Chicago Tribune
An enjoyable road movie that feels both comfortable and completely fresh.
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune
It captures the nuances and rhythms of messy real-life relationships dead-on.
Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post
The Duplass brothers have stuffed their first feature with fine details. Not all of them are comfy. But they're well-crafted and hint at funny, ouchy films to come.
Karina Longworth, Cinematical
It's amazing how it nails the mealy-mouthed way we have of saying what we mean by dressing the same words, over and over again, in different kinds of inflection.
Tim Robey, Daily Telegraph
It's crisp and engaging, and bodes well for all involved.
Steve Rose, Guardian [UK]
The dialogue captures the awkwardness and frustration of young adulthood with loving accuracy.
, Times [UK]
There is very little of real substance in there.
Sam Jordison, Film4
A higher 'dude' count than an Ashton Kutcher film.
Tom Dawson, BBC
Some cherishable comic moments.
Jessica Winter, Time Out
When everyone finally shuts up, the silence is startling.
Anna Smith, Empire Magazine
A witty, entertaining road trip comedy that doesn't shy away from ambiguity or discomfort.
Lewis Beale, Film Journal International
Actually has a light tone and a few fine comedic moments.
Dan Jardine, Cinemania
characters simply don't have anything particularly interesting to say to each other or do together
Jesse Hassenger, Filmcritic.com
rare is the film where a cut scene will make you like it even more.
Angela Baldassarre, Sympatico.ca
Jay Duplass' "The Puffy Chair" is proof that you don't need a lot of money to make a good film, just as long as you have an intelligent and sharp script combined with some convincing performances.
Bruce Kirkland, Jam! Movies
The whole enterprise feels empty, if inoffensive.

Read all 19 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

♥˩ƳИИ &

Cast: Mark Duplass, Kathryn Aselton, Julie Fischer, Rhett Wilkins Director: Jay Duplass Summary: When Josh (Mark Duplass, whose brother Jay directs) finds the perfect birthday present for his father, he decides to deliver it in person. But with his high-maintenance girlfriend… More
Cast: Mark Duplass, Kathryn Aselton, Julie Fischer, Rhett Wilkins Director: Jay Duplass Summary: When Josh (Mark Duplass, whose brother Jay directs) finds the perfect birthday present for his father, he decides to deliver it in person. But with his high-maintenance girlfriend (Kathryn Aselton) and granola brother (Rhett Wilkins) along for the ride, Josh's road trip turns into a bigger journey than anyone anticipated. This indie romantic dramedy was an audience favorite at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival. My Thoughts: "I enjoyed watching it. I found the two bothers to be interesting characters, and I found the girlfriend to be just annoying. I can't stand girls who are that needy, whinny, and that need a lot of attention. She is quite negative throughout. He made the mistake of inviting her along. It's not a film that is going to wow you and it's not your typical hollywood formula film. Which I think is the reason I liked it more then I thought I would. It's funny, quirky, and has a well enough story-line. Totally worth the watch."
Leigh R

Weirdest freakin' movie I have seen in a while, but it was worth the watch.
Gordon A

Inconsequential but well acted yarn with a believable central relationship 'on the rocks' but an unconvincing stoner brother character. Oh and enough with the 'dude' and 'man' tags on every utterance.
Jeff B

Hollywood concentrates too much on comparison. Tom Hanks is the new Jimmy Stewart, et cetera and ad nauseum. This said, this reviewer has officially enlisted in the hypocrisy, trumpeting the arrival of the Duplass Brothers as the new Richard Linklater (Dazed and Confused). Far from a… More
Hollywood concentrates too much on comparison. Tom Hanks is the new Jimmy Stewart, et cetera and ad nauseum. This said, this reviewer has officially enlisted in the hypocrisy, trumpeting the arrival of the Duplass Brothers as the new Richard Linklater (Dazed and Confused). Far from a put-down, this comparison smacks of greatness as this is the man who gave moviegoers the brilliantly astute bookend valentines Before Sunrise and Before Sunset. As adept a character study as it is for its funny and thought-provoking exchanges, The Puffy Chair is simple filmmaking that elicits winningly complex results. In this R-rated dramedy: After a potentially devastating fight, Josh (Duplass) invites girlfriend Emily (Aselton) on a road-trip to pick up a beat-up old recliner for his father's birthday. Along the way, his brother Rhett (Rhett Wilkins) thumbs a ride, beginning a hilarious and telling journey of discovery. Taking dead aim with biting dialogue, pitch-perfect performances, and an appropriate hand-held style, Jay Duplass fires off a rewardingly offbeat realistic story much like Linklater did with Slacker 15 years ago. It hits home--from the confines of a crowded Cineplex or a beat-up old rocker. Bottom line: Three Chairs, uh, Cheers for this flick.
Kevin M

What a shitty movie!! Independent films tend to please me with their brilliant and original filmwork, but this one started licking gopher cock from the very beginning. The dialogue seemed poorly-improvised, without any more than 3 semi-interesting scenes. The only pleasant part about… More
What a shitty movie!! Independent films tend to please me with their brilliant and original filmwork, but this one started licking gopher cock from the very beginning. The dialogue seemed poorly-improvised, without any more than 3 semi-interesting scenes. The only pleasant part about this film is its length - very short.