It’s Kind of a Funny Story is meaningful, sad, and uplifting all at once. From the directors of Half Nelson and Sugar, this is a change of mood for them but it does not mean this film is not as good as the other two. While more mainstream, Funny Story remains grounded and personal. It takes on serious issues such as stress, depression and suicide. Even though these are intense topics, the film eases it with laughter and not going too far off the deep end and making it overly dark.
Craig (Keir Gilchrist) is 16-years-old and is stressed out and depressed for reasons he does not know or understand. He checks himself in to a mental health clinic looking to be in-and-out in a day. Unfortunately for Craig, there is a minimum of a five-day stay. To make matters worse, the youth ward floor is closed due to renovation so he has to stay on the adult ward floor where people much crazier and scarier than him stay.
But there he meets two people who affect his stay and his life: Bobby (Zach Galifianakis) and Noelle (Emma Roberts). Bobby becomes Craig’s mentor and is very helpful when it comes to surviving in the clinic. If you want the Galifianakis from The Hangover or from Dinner for Schmucks, you will be disappointed. Galifianakis keeps himself grounded and turns in a nice dramatic performance. He is more than just his character from The Hangover. He can show real emotion and reveals more range in his acting. Now that does not mean he is not funny in this movie because he is. Just not too crazy like we have seen him in the past.
Noelle is 16-years-old as well and she cuts herself. She has the scars to prove it. But she understands the situation Craig is in and the struggles that teenagers face. She is his love interest in the clinic, but she is more than that. They are the same age and are able to support each other. They can rely on each other even if it is just for five days. But there are better days ahead of them.
Gilchrist is on The United States of Tara, but I am not familiar with him. This is the first performance I have seen from him and what a great one it is. He captures the spirit of a confused kid who cannot grasp who he is or where he fits in. He is the centerpiece of this film and perhaps has the least amount of problems. But for just the five days he is there, he gives hope to some and learns from their mistakes.
Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden, the directors, get great performances from the entire cast. Fleck and Boden are used to making heavy, dramatic films, but It’s Kind of a Funny Story is lighter and funny. At the same time, the film focuses on real problems and how people cope with them. This film, if given the chance, will garner your attention and capture your heart.
“Nature Boy” Brandon Vick is the resident film critic of the SoBros Network, and star of Brandon’s Box Office In Your Mouth. Follow him on Twitter @SirBrandonV and be sure to search #VicksFlicks for all of his latest movie reviews.
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