It’s Kind of a Funny Story – An Alliance Films’ Release

http://www.focusfeatures.com/its_kind_of_a_funny_story

DVD Release Date: February 8th, 2010

Rated PG for coarse language and mature theme

Running time: 101 minutes

 

Anna Boden (dir.)

Ryan Fleck (dir.)

 

Anna Boden (writer)

Ryan Fleck (writer)

 

Based on the novel by Ned Vizzini

 

Broken Social Scene (music)

 

Keir Gilchrist as Craig

Emma Roberts as Noelle

Zach Galifianakis as Bobby

Matthew Maher as Humble

 

© 2010 Focus Features LLC and Wayfare Entertainment Ventures LLC. All Rights Reserved. Distributed Exclusively in Canada by Alliance Films. All Rights Reserved.

 

Our reviews below:

 

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It’s Kind of a Funny Story DVD Review By John C.

*** (out of 4)

After developing severe depression, 16-year-old Craig Gilner checks himself into the adult ward (the youth floor is under renovation) of a psychiatric hospital.  Over the course of five days, he finds an unlikely mentor in the eccentric Bobby (Zach Galifianakis) and begins a tentative relationship with fellow teenager, Noelle (Emma Roberts).  The story is most inspiring when we see the change that happens both in Craig and his fellow patients.

 

The movie actually improves on Ned Vizzini’s source novel, removing the majority of the book’s lagging, unpleasant first act and changing certain plot points to better suit the characters.  Although I must admit that some of the more stylistic choices here seem a little too cute for the story, this is ultimately a believable and emotionally effecting look at depression.  In the end it is hard not to be moved by these characters’ journey.

 

The DVD includes footage from the New York premiere, deleted scenes, outtakes, and a ‘behind the scenes’ featurette.

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It’s Kind of a Funny Story DVD Review By Erin V.

*** (out of 4)

In It’s Kind of a Funny Story, Keir Gilchrist plays Craig, a 16-year-old who checks himself into a psychiatric hospital because of depression.  There, he meets others, including Bobby (Zach Galifinakis), and another teenager named Noelle (Emma Roberts).  As the film covers his five day stay, we get to watch the characters develop and reveal themselves to us.

 

I never read the book this film was based on, and from what I have heard, it takes a little while to get going.  So, I wasn’t sure what to expect from the film.  Ultimately, I found this one to be a well made story for teens and adults about mental health.  The acting from the leads is believable and likable.  There are a few minor issues I have with the film, mainly in the form of a couple of gross-out scenes, and ‘indie film’ style graphics that didn’t quite suit the more serious themes addressed.

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It’s Kind of a Funny Story DVD Review By Nicole

*** (out of 4)

It’s Kind of a Funny Story is a touching coming-of-age film about finding yourself in the most unlikely of places.  Based on the novel by Ned Vizzini, the story follows Craig (Keir Gilchrist), an intelligent and highly sensitive teenager who struggles with generalized anxiety and depression.  When he feels he can no longer cope, he rides his bike to the Brooklyn Bridge to end his life.  Thinking of his family, Craig decides against jumping and heads off to a mental health clinic instead.  Since the teen ward is being renovated, he is put with the adult patients.

 

While the place is boring, the people there certainly aren’t and Craig even manages to make friends with some of the eccentric patients.  A witty, down on his luck fellow named Bobby (Zach Galifinakas) becomes a mentor to Craig, showing him that his life really isn’t so bad after all.  Craig even takes interest in Noelle (Emma Roberts), another one of the teenage patients taking refuge on the adult floor.  In the end, Craig finds the strength to live and thrive despite his difficulties.

 

It’s Kind of a Funny Story portrays an accurate depiction of people with mental health challanges.  It avoids any cliches or stereotypes surrounding mental illness.  Instead, it shows that people with conditions such as depression and anxiety are simply people who sometimes need medical care, just like those with asthma, diabetes, or other hidden handicaps.  Despite its serious subject matter, the film often maintains a light and witty tone reminicient of teen comedies such as Ferris Bueller’s Day Off or Malcolm in the Middle.

 

It’s Kind of a Funny Story is a well made film that will touch you especially if you know people who have mental health challenges themselves.

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It’s Kind of a Funny Story DVD Review By Maureen

*** (out of 4)

Life is kind of funny sometimes and takes you to places you don’t want to go but end up glad that you went.  In It’s Kind of a Funny Story, sixteen year-old Craig (Keir Gilchrist) checks himself into a mental health clinic when he is overwhelmed with anxiety and suicidal thoughts.  Forced to stay for the mandatory five day observation period, Craig discovers a lot about himself with the help of fellow patients, particularly middle-aged Bobby (Zach Galifianakis) and pretty teenager, Noelle (Emma Roberts).

 

Despite the darker premise of suicide attempts and mental health problems, It’s Kind of a Funny Story has a charming and uplifting side.  The eccentric mix of patients provide light humour but never mock the very real symptoms of mental illness.  The characters are all believable, and the film works thanks to well-written dialogue and good performances by the three main leads.  Zach Galifianakis is nice to watch in a role that is both funny and sadly touching.

 

This is one movie that treats its subject matter well and provides a quietly entertaining way to spend an evening.  It’s Kind of a Funny Story is worth checking out on DVD.

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It’s Kind of a Funny Story DVD Review By Tony

*** (out of 4)

Instead of jumping off the Brooklyn Bridge, Craig (Keir Gilchrist) checks himself into an adult mental ward (the teen ward is under renovation). With a workaholic father, beautiful mother and precocious little sister, Craig feels out of place on the fast track in a gifted public high school applying to an elite business summer camp, and it doesn’t help that he went off his anti-depressant. Committed for a minimum of five days, Craig touches the lives of a number of fellow patients, notably Bobby (Zach Galifianakis) and Noelle (Emma Roberts). In for several suicide attempts, Bobby is hoping to move into a group home and reestablish contact with his daughter. He encourages Craig to get to know Noelle, in for cutting, who shares Craig’s artistic talent. With the sympathetic encouragement of his psychiatrist (Viola Davis), Craig emerges somewhat healed with a new direction for his life and the confidence to pursue it.

 

It’s Kind of a Funny Story is a sweet film. Whether patients or not, all the characters are well drawn out with dignity despite whatever challenges they have and the large cast playing them is consistently excellent. We can’t help liking Craig as he finds his way with grace and decency. The overall production is fine, accompanied by a good selection of tunes from Toronto-based supergroup Broken Social Scene including a nice music therapy fantasy sequence.

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Consensus: With good performances from a talented cast, It’s Kind of a Funny Story is a sometimes humorous and often heartfelt look at teenage depression and mental health issues. *** (Out of 4)