Review of It's Kind of a Funny Story (2010) by Aisling K — 29 May 2014

I really liked it. The main message expressed is that mental illness affects normal people too; who had nothing traumatizing happen to them before - but are just, depressed. Movies generally follow the lives of depressed people with traumatic lives and personality disorders.

I like how it's just a regular person and a regular condition he has. I like the random animated memories/visions he has. But some are just silly. ie when he visualises himself in the future on MTV's Cribs (cringe!) But his perspective seems to be distorted.

I really like how in his memory of when he was a five year old, his 16 year old self played the part, proclaiming about how he was only a five year old. Very cool. Like Noel's character. Like Craig, she is not a stereotype.

She harms herself, she has mental health issues, but she's just a regular person. Bobby is quite likeable but I would've preferred if they'd explored his past more. Also, an extra scene of communication between Craig and his "perfect" best friend would have been good.

We hear so much about the guy yet he's not even in the present day for the whole film till nearly the end. Some parts v. unrealistic, like they would never have teens and adults sharing bedrooms and wards even if it was down to renovations.

The realistics aside, it's a good movie about the ordinary lives of people who are meant to be crazy. I always like a film with little or no stereotypes and the crazy person stereotype isn't in here as much :) (with exception of the babbling old man).