6 replies to this topic

[Joel Mayward]

I could not find a thread on this little independent film from comedian Mike Birbiglia. Produced in part by NPR's "This American Life" radio show, the movie is a filmic version of Birbiglia's autobigraphical one-man show. It follows a young comedian trying to navigate his long-term relationship while he pursues his dreams in the comedy business. Oh, and he has a sleep disorder that leads to him physically act out his dreams while he still snoozes.

To put it simply: I liked it. It was charming and authentic, and Birbiglia's humor is dryly insightful. He's not raunchy or crass, and my only critique is that he has a fairly cynical view of marriage and relationships. Yet his criticisms aren't unmerited (at least from his experience) and he offers some insights into the value of being honest and true. It's when he decides to authentically confront his own fears and insecurities that he starts to become funny as a comic.

Anyone else seen this? You can see the trailer here.

And Joss Whedon really really really hates this film.

[Tyler]

Link to Birbiglia's This American Life story that the movie is based on.

[Crow]

I thought this film was enjoyable with a relaxed charm to it. Mike is winsome, someone who is honestly insightful without being overly self-loathing.

The strongest part of the film is the depiction of life on the road for a struggling comic: the loneliness of hotel rooms, and the long drives from town to town. I think the film tries to ask questions about commitment and long term relationships that it can’t quite deliver on. But the acting is superb, and Lauren Ambrose’s character, while having the vocation and fashion sense of a typical indie film heroine, does transcend the stereotype with her intelligence and depth.

Edited by Crow, 07 October 2012 - 08:37 AM.

[Holy Moly!]

Birbiglia's

Spoiler

dive from a second story hotel window

happened the night of a show he performed at my college. It was quite the hot topic amongst administrators the next day. I was sad to see Walla Walla written out of the movie, because it was so funny to hear him say Walla Walla and "La Quinta Inn".

The movie was light, quick, and fun, and gestured at some bigger point about commitment, but didn't really make it sucessfully. My fiance and I left the theater saying "Gosh, I'm so glad we don't have relationship problems like that". Which is something, I guess.

We had just seen The Master, so our joke now is that we're only going to see movies that don't really have endings from now on.

Edited by Holy Moly!, 08 October 2012 - 09:52 PM.

[Overstreet]

Fishing for A&F opinions: Is this one I want to spend time on today in a theater? Or am I just as likely to enjoy it if I wait for a Netflix night?

[Joel Mayward]

Overstreet, on 28 October 2012 - 04:22 PM, said:

Fishing for A&F opinions: Is this one I want to spend time on today in a theater? Or am I just as likely to enjoy it if I wait for a Netflix night?

It's quite charming, but not necessarily a theater-only kind of movie, IMO.

[Tyler]

Now streaming on Netflix US.