Review: 'Sleepwalk With Me', written and directed by Mike Birbiglia

Stand-up comedians are some of the most fascinating people on earth. They say that the best comedy comes from truth, and it takes a very specific kind of person who can step up on stage night after night and leave themselves so emotionally vulnerable in front of a live crowd. Stand-up comedy is for many of the people who partake in it, a cathartic experience, a sort of personal therapy session hashed out through humor. Comedian Mike Birbiglia's Sundance award-winning film, Sleepwalk with Me, is a one of the best looks at personal growth through comedy you're likely to find, but does that necessarily make for a funny movie?

Based on his hit off-Broadway show and memoir, Birbiglia directs, co-writes, and stars in the film playing a version of himself named Mike Pandamiglio. He even narrates, so pretty much every ounce of the film belongs to him. Mike presents himself as an easygoing, regular dude with perhaps a skewed sense of priority and pathological aversion to confrontation.  Despite all evidence to the contrary, Mike believes his destiny is to be a stand-up comedian, putting everything else on the backburner to pursue his fleeting dream. His crappy job as a bartender is brushed off casually, and he refuses to face the growing unease with his longtime girlfriend, Abby(Lauren Ambrose), who has hopes of getting married some day.

Sleepwalk with Me doesn't unfold in the typical "struggling comic hits the big time" way we've grown accustomed to. Actually, we never really see Mike become famous, just a lot more busy and mildly successful as he scraps his tired routine and starts telling the audience about his real life. Fans of Birbiglia's act, a clever combination of theater and Seinfeld-ian observational humor, will likely find his evolution from wannabe comedian into a legit talent familiar and somewhat comforting. Others may wonder what the fuss is all about, as not many of his jokes really amount to much in the way of laughs.

The film succeeds when exploring Mike's growth as an adult, learning to face hard truths by saying in his act all the things he doesn't have the strength to say in his personal life. Finding his footing as a comedian gives him a sense of self worth he never had, and Mike's journey is one we're happy to tag along for thanks to his warm, affable personality. The festival circuit is full to bursting with small budget comedies looking for a hook, and this one has boasted the presence of This American Life's Ira Glass as a co-writer and producer, and also Birbiglia's much talked about sleepwalking disorder which causes him to dangerously act out his dreams. Sadly, the most hyped element of the film mostly gets lost in the shuffle. Sleepwalk with Me may not be a side-splitting laugh riot, but unlike many other similar comedies it has something to say, and a unique voice to deliver the message.