Review of Don't Think Twice (2016) by Cole J — 01 Sep 2016

The film follows an improv comedy group of adults in their twenties, whose realize it's time to enter "real" adulthood. What makes this film unique is that all the characters are experiencing this transition point in different ways. The film understands that there is no one way to live your twenties, or to transition into your thirties. Everyone experiences things differently, and it's refreshing to see a movie acknowledge this, considering many films create worlds where there's one solution for everyone.

Most of the characters hope to be on the movie's version of SNL, Weekend Live. It's difficult for many of the characters to accept the flow their lives are headed in, because for most, it's not quite where they hoped it would go.

One area where the film succeeds is in its character development, and how each characters' unique experience contributes to a similar whole. Jack makes it onto Weekend Live, Miles still hopes to at least land a writing role although he's in his mid 30s, and Samantha isn't sure she wants anything but to stay where she is. There is no one direction the characters move in, but all share the struggle of finding out where they're going in life, even as that means giving up on old dreams and accepting change.

The film describes the beauty of improv as creating a moment, in the moment, that will never occur again. Mike Birbiglia's direction and the performances contain a lot of improvisation, and give the film a sense of spontaneity that mirrors the flow of the characters' lives.

Like many millennials in arts schools today, the characters chase lofty dreams that probably won't come true, and although that sounds really negative, this film shows how it isn't. I think this movie is about chasing your dreams while you can chase them, and accepting signs that your life is not meant to go there, if those signs come. Don't Think Twice is a very optimistic movie that trusts in the universe to place you where you're meant to be, whether that's where you thought it would be, or not. The beauty in life, after all, is the spontaneity.