Post by StevePulaski on Aug 9, 2011 22:02:20 GMT -5
Kier Gilchrist and Zach Galifianakis.
Rating: ★★★
Zach Galifianakis is taking the Robin Williams' career route doing something like this. Williams was a strict comedy actor until doing the acclaimed Good Will Hunting which gave him respectable recognition as a drama actor. Williams also does wonderful films such as One Hour Photo and World's Greatest Dad. Galifianakis made a name for himself in The Hangover, and now shows he is completely capable of carrying a steady drama role, without going over the top.
It's odd how even though the poster, and some of the trailer, make this look like a romantic comedy that it failed to become a success at the box office. Even branded with such actors like Jim Gaffigan, Zach Galifianakis, and Emma Roberts didn't seem to help the film's case. This is the case of where a film is highly respected by people who read the book (written by Ned Vizzini, respectively), and people who just stumbled upon this blindly. Consider me blind.
The plot: Craig (Gilchrist) checks himself into a psychiatric center after awakening from a dream where he was seconds away from killing himself. Craig doesn't appear to be depressed. He seems like the kind of adolescent who is indecisive and worried about his future. He doesn't seem confident in his life, and therefore, doesn't feel he should live it out. Craig quickly befriends Bobby (Galifianakis), an adult who is secretive about his past, and optimistic about his present.
Craig also has a brewing crush on fellow patient Noelle (Roberts). Noelle is beautiful, and an absolute sweetheart, but has a dirty habit of cutting herself. Craig and Noelle take on an awkward relationship, but find out their interests aren't very far apart.
It's Kind of a Funny Story sounds a little like another recent film called The Art of Getting By. It had mixed reactions at Sundance, when it was called Homework, and received little to no attendance when in limited release, but still managed to gross over a million dollars. The Art of Getting By, also starring Roberts, was about an adolescent, who in his Senior year of high school, completely disregards his homework, and believes "if I'm going to die, why should I care." That film was brutally honest, and was one of the better features of 2011. Definitely one of the most overlooked.
There are times in the film where it becomes a little too sweet, and tends to drag on with preachy, over-developed aspects. Take for example a lot of the teenager-on-therapist discussions. They're drawn-out, and slow, and the film seems to want to finish them as quickly as possible, but they keep asking questions.
I'm not sure how good the novel was, but from what it seems like, It's Kind of a Funny Story has rounded up a number of fans who enjoy the story. Even though the film wasn't perfect, I'm glad we got to see this great story be adapted to film. So many films come out that are either poorly constructed, or just convoluted stories. It's Kind of a Funny Story is an easy story to get into, and it just might be one of many colors.
Starring: Keir Gilchrist, Zach Galifianakis, Emma Roberts, and Viola Davis. Directed by: Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck.