Movie Review - It's Kind of a Funny Story

After a summer of less-than-great flashy action movies (Inception not included), It’s Kind of a Funny Story is the type of small, enjoyable film that may not be winning any big awards itself, but effectively establishes hope for the traditionally stronger autumn film season.

Based on Ned Vizzini’s novel of the same name, the story revolves around Craig (Keir Gilchrist) , a depressed, suicidal teenager who turns to a hospital for help and ends up being placed in the adult psychiatric ward. After overcoming his initial trepidation, Craig decides to make the most of his required five-day stay while still trying to confront the pressures of girls, friends, school, and family he knows are waiting beyond the hospital walls.

Writers/directors Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck have adapted Craig’s story to the big screen with favorable results that are largely due to the cast’s efforts. Granted, it takes some warming up to get used to Craig. His arrogance over the other patients quickly fades away to reveal an awkward but lovable teenager. Keir Gilchrist tackles all the elements of Craig, from his internal turmoil to his generic teenage angst and genuine compassion for others.

Emma Roberts, who earlier this year provided the only redeemable reason to watch the abysmal Valentine’s Day, shines in her supporting role as fellow patient Noelle. Especially in contrast to Craig’s barely seen and fairly one-dimensional crush, Nia (played by Zoë Kravitz), Noelle is a strong female character and her flirtation with Craig leaves the audience really rooting for these two to come together in their shared experience.

However, the real standout is Zach Galifianakis who plays Bobby, a patient who takes Craig under his wing, while trying to come to terms with the problems in his own life in the wake of his upcoming release. Bobby is starkly different from Galifianakis’ general roles and the actor takes on a subdued persona to really explore the depth of a man with troubling personal problems who is still able to find things to laugh about each day. As the title would suggest, the film finds the subtle humor that exists even with troubles abounding in everyday life.

There are many serious issues to explore about mental illness in this film, especially the stigma. The film’s portrait of a diverse group of people shows them in a way that values each one as an individual. While the film may not be able to explore them all, it takes the stance that each person has his or her own story and doesn’t let the hospital patients become stock characters.

However, the film struggles in its attempts at stylization. The stylistic choices feel forced, as if the film is trying too hard to go against the mainstream. With a movie that is based so much on mental illness and what goes on inside one’s head, it makes sense that the directors would want to set those asides apart from the external narrative. However, there’s no clear direction this style wants to take and it becomes distracting and disjointed. There are freeze frames, documentary-esque style flashbacks, drawings, an elaborate ’80s glam production of “Under Pressure” — just too many different tangents that clouded whatever point Boden and Fleck were hoping to make about Craig’s inner self.

It’s as if the movie really wants indie cred but the directors’ attempts to channel the quirks of other successful indie films (think the Hall and Oates scene from (500) Days of Summer or Juno’s inner thoughts) simply muddles the charm the film has found on its own.

It may not hurt Boden and Fleck to take note from some of those sub-par summer action movies and remind themselves that sometimes less is more. This film soars above those blockbusters in its admirable acting, light humor, and the thoughtful creation of a unique world — it may have profited from sticking to a style as simple and approachable as its title.

Update: Gilchrist can be seen as the title character’s son when United States of Tara returns for its third season in March on Showtime. Roberts will be in next year’s Scream 4 and Galifianakis returns to theaters Nov. 5 in Due Date with Robert Downey, Jr.