A charming, compact coming-of-age film. It's a bit of a surprise to find the writing/directing team behind Half Nelson and Sugar, such clear-eyed, realistic films, embracing a more fanciful, Wes Anderson-esque style (call it "whimsindie"), but, for the most part, they do it well. One part not covered by "for the most part" is a way-too-cute sequence set to "Under Pressure," the Queen/Bowie classic. And, to be honest, the idea of a teenager overcoming his angst and depression by spending five days in a mental hospital with a cast of hilarious-and-inspirational loons may frustrate or even disgust certain viewers. People, Spike Lee included, often refer to the "magical negro." Meet the magical schizophrenics and suicidals!

Those who don't find the basic premise too glib will be delighted--by Zach Galifianakis and Emma Roberts' top-notch performances, Canadian indie collective Broken Social Scene's sumptuous original score, and the screenplay's delicate, mostly subtle blend of humor and pathos. This is a very nice movie--earnest, sweet, worth seeing.

B+

An enjoyable movie with nice performances.

7/10 ( B )

The way Galifianakis was shown during the pizza party...I thought the film was going to go for a tearjerker ending where he commits suicide the night before leaving the hospital, and then have another character, perhaps Viola Davis', reveal he was never accepted into the group home.

I see your point, 100%. It felt a bit strange. He seemed so defeated and withdrawn during his final scenes. Every detail seemed to be building to an incident or a revelation, but then it's just, "Oh, him? He left early this morning."

I really didn't like this. Emma Roberts was the best thing about it. She's going to be a HUGE star in a couple years.

5/10 ( C )

It's Kind of a Funny Story definitely has a lot of heart but is not challenging enough to be a knockout. The film definitely tackles a lot of serious problems into a hopeful light that can provides some laughs rather than just sadness the entire way through. All the characters can be easily likeable, whether they are major or minor and the fact that it doesn't fall to cliches helps a good bit. Galifianakis, though he is becoming overused in films, is likeable and doesn't give off the arrogant feel some of his previous roles have done. Emma Roberts is pretty strong here as well showing that she is definitely beginning to make a name for herself. Also Keir Gilchrist makes a good mainstream role here. The film though is fairly predictable and it doesn't take a gutsy enough ending to make it truly great. It does have a lot of heart though and sweet fun, so for that it passes. **1/2

I had heard almost nothing about It's Kind Of A Funny Story, and now having seen it, I am so happy to report to you that it is...

...very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very eminent!

Truly amazing - - a latter day Harold And Maude - - it's a special movie treat for us, a story rung true, borne here untrumpeted this 2010...

Rejoice rustic swain, rejoice!!!


84 out of 5.


{Official Bradley Witherberry Top Ten of Twenty Ten Selection)

"Delightful" would be the word I choose for the musical number, along with what I would call the "magical" animated sequence.




How cynical! Whew... I'm feelin' bad for ya 'slinger!

I'd normally be the first to join you in this complaint - - but here, in this beautiful fantasy world of hope and redemption, I can't but scorn the thought.

By that quote, gunslinger, even I must object. That is completely moronic. The angst and depression of teenagers is remarkably cyclical. To suggest five days with a host of hilarious loons could not cure it is ridiculous. half an hour with the bill cosby show could cure it. It just depends on the teen.

It wasn't so much the teen and his depression (even though the film does portray it as quite deep and chronic) as the fanciful, easy-redemption portrayal of a city mental institution and its residents.

And it wasn't even my complaint. In the context of my review, I was just saying people who tend to find such "cute" storytelling grating would no doubt continue to while watching It's Kind of a Funny Story.

perilously close to being the worst movie i've seen this year.