Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- witty
- awkward
- sincere
- indie movie night
- relationship drama night
What critics said
Critics generally praised the film as a realistic, thoughtful, warm, and painfully funny romantic comedy, while noting an uneasy shift from silliness to relationship drama.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Josh and Emily's arguments and intimate exchanges use awkward, everyday speech, including Josh calling Emily Dude.
The drive from New York City to Virginia to collect the eBay chair repeatedly forces Josh and Emily to confront their deteriorating relationship.
The chair's restoration and delivery for Josh's father parallel Josh's effort to repair a strained relationship with Emily and connect with his family.
The Duplass brothers' debut feature uses a small-scale production, informal performances, and relationship-centered observation associated with mumblecore.
Films like The Puffy Chair, and why
Funny Ha Ha
naturalistic relationship comedy, conversational performances, and emotionally messy young adults
Hannah Takes the Stairs
mumblecore intimacy, improvised-feeling dialogue, and uncertain romantic commitment
Your Sister's Sister
low-budget road movie structure centered on romantic friction and personal drift
Drinking Buddies
awkward romantic comedy built from candid dialogue and uncomfortable emotional honesty
Movie Details
- Director
- Jay Duplass
- Release Date
- 2006-06-02
- Runtime
- 85 min
- Rating
- 6.1 / 10 (60)
Cast
- Mark Duplass
- Katie Aselton
- Rhett Wilkins
- Julie Fischer
- Larry Duplass
- Bari Hyman
- Gerald Finnegan
- Henry Barendse
- Cindy Duplass
- David Parsons
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Philo, AMC Plus Apple TV channel, AMC+ Amazon Channel, AMC+ Roku Premium Channel, AMC+, Sundance Now
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Puffy Chair about?
- An awkward couple’s budget road trip to retrieve a sentimental chair becomes an unsparing test of whether their relationship can be repaired.
- What is The Puffy Chair like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Puffy Chair as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Puffy Chair violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Puffy Chair.
- What did critics think of The Puffy Chair?
- Critics generally praised the film as a realistic, thoughtful, warm, and painfully funny romantic comedy, while noting an uneasy shift from silliness to relationship drama.
- Which films are like The Puffy Chair?
- Films with a similar feel include Funny Ha Ha, Hannah Takes the Stairs, Your Sister's Sister, and Drinking Buddies.
- How long is The Puffy Chair?
- The Puffy Chair runs 85 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Puffy Chair?
- In United States, The Puffy Chair streams on Philo, AMC Plus Apple TV channel, AMC+ Amazon Channel, AMC+ Roku Premium Channel, AMC+, Sundance Now.
