Most teen comedies are built around the idea of exclusion. Exclusion from the cool clique at high school or whatever social order they're trying to break into. Like with most teenagers in reality, these minor problems are life engulfing mountainous disasters. In It's Kind of a Funny Story, the new coming of age comedy from Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck(Half Nelson
), we're given a little something different. A character that doesn't have those desires to be popular, rich, or cool. He just wants to be able to enjoy what life has already given him.Craig(Keir Gilchrist, United States of Tara
) is about to do something most people his age would never even think of. Overwhelmed by perceived burdens and an inability to enjoy anything, he's seriously considering suicide by jumping off a bridge. That's not the crazy part. I'd be more surprised if a teen didn't consider it at some point. What he does that's truly bizarre is voluntarily checking himself into a mental health facility where he's immediately greeted by the enigmatic Bobby(Zach Galifianakis), a patient trying to pass himself off as a doctor.It isn't long before Craig realizes that he doesn't belong there. His problems don't nearly measure up to those with legitimate mental and emotional concerns, but he's required to stay for at least a week, which could put a serious crimp in his ability to steal away his best friend's girl(Zoe Kravitz). Rather than sulking, Craig decides to make the best of it with Bobby's help, even though it's obvious Bobby's got some issues of his own. A mostly genial guy with the token Galifianakis beard and one hell of a roller coaster mood swing, Bobby serves as the de facto leader of the quirky crew of misfits. He's sort of a peanut gallery Buddha, dispensing crazy insights into the ways of the world. The question remains, if Bobby is so wise and grounded, what was it that put him in the hospital just like everybody else?
By the time Craig starts making kissy face with the troubled, suicidal Noelle(Emma Roberts), it's clear that we're being treated to is One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
mixed with a John Hughes comedy. We even get the non-sensical musical number in the form of Queen and David Bowie's rockin' "Under Pressure". A mental ward turns out to be a strangely perfect venue for dealing with the eccentricities of the teenage mind, raging hormones, and feelings of isolation. The biggest hurdle for any film like this is avoiding clichéd portrayals of drooling crazy folks banging their heads into walls and talking to their hands. For the most part, Boden and Fleck(who also co-wrote) avoid those pitfalls by focusing on the honest relationship between Bobby and Craig. When The Hangover
came out, like a lot of people I had Galifianakis pegged as the guy who would be pigeon holed for the rest of his career. Up until now he hasn't exactly proven me a liar, but it should go without saying that this is the first real three dimensional role of his career and he nails it. He can be likable without being a buffoon, and when the call is made for him to get a little scary or serious he's right on point. Gilchrist's performance is a little understated, but that's the point playing opposite Galifianakis. Emma Roberts is solid even if I think her storyline isn't given much screen time. Out of nearly a dozen characters nearly everybody gets a singular moment to shine.After two somewhat somber, raw flicks it's nice to see Boden and Fleck do something a little more cheerful and fun, even if they had to go to the psychiatric ward to do it. You'd have to be a little crazy not to walk away with a smile on your face.
