Review of It's Kind of a Funny Story (2010) by Michael Y — 31 Jul 2011

It's Kind of a Funny Story isn't really a funny story. It's about depression and looking for meaning in the world. But what this movie is is wonderful and touching.

This indie movie is one with drama and spunk. Craig volenteers to be treated in a mental health clinic after he fails to kill himself. Craig has a family that doesn't understand him, has a crush on a girl who's dating his best friend, and Craig's self esteem crushes him in the confusing world. But he soon meets a variety of characters in the clinic that are WAY worse than he is. But through these troubled souls Craig finds friendship and understanding. This movie starts off in a not too happy direction and deals with very mature and personal subject matter. But It's Kind of a Funny Story is actually, at times, pretty funny. It sways from the perception of the teenage mind that sees the world as hip and dark. Depending on our mood. But the switch of drama and comic relief is very tasteful and creative, especially from such great performances from the star, Keir Gilchrist, and an unexpectedly BRILLIANT performance from Zack Galifianakis.

Directors Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden create a fantastic drama that executes its comedy, fantasy, heartwarming, dramatic, and romantic moments all with great creativity and passion. For a very personal story, they were really able to find not only the true drama of the story, but the dark humour that follows. But with uses of incredible cinematography and animation, this movie dives into a fantasy and romantic aspect of the movie that is creative. The hospital set looks great and natural. Not too flashy like a Hollywood hospital. Just plain, easy going, and a place that you can feel more peaceful in. You really get that sense through the cinematography. But there are tricky aspects of the story that requite creative montages and transitions to scenes that gives this movie a hip, indie feel. And the scene where everyone is singing "Under Pressure" is just so cool.

We've seen mental health clinic dramas before, but It's Kind of a Funny Story gives us what we want to see, what we don't expect to see, and what we need to thoroughly enjoy this thoughtful, touching and entertaining surprizer of a movie.