Directors: Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck
Starring: Keir Gilchrist, Zach Galifianakis, Emma Roberts
Plot: a depressed teenager is submitted into an adult psychiatric ward, after convincing his Doctor that he’s suicidal.
A suicidal teenager opening a film wasn’t quite the beginning you’d expect from a cheerful film… but it is! Whilst it all sounds terribly difficult to watch, it changes quite suddenly within the first thirty minutes of the film. Firstly, both directors of the film are incredibly underrated; both have directed episodes of the magnificent ‘Big C’ programme, as well as a number of independent films I have yet to watch. The main strength of the film are the characters; Craig, our main, played by Keir Gilchirst, seems to be really negative about all things positive, as well as going through some of the most embarrassing and cringe-worthy moments a teenager could wish for. Bobby, played by Zach Galifianakis is also a wonderful edition to the film; whilst I have found Galifianakis very samey and not particularly funny in all his films, the script here allows him to really use his acting skills as well as to prove that he doesn’t need crude humour to be funny. As well as the main characters, numerous other mad, crazy, insane individuals move into the picture throughout and add some very sad but also very humorous moments which are little touches but add a lot more to it.
As I have said, the film isn’t depressing at all. The storyline has been arched so well as to show the change our main characters go through and both Boden and Fleck, the directors, do a terrific job at showing the journey of a claustrophobic young man, coming out of his shell gradually.
Perhaps the film’s only negative point is its length; it’s 101 minutes drag towards the end. Whilst the characters have brilliant storylines with a well-thought out script to go by, once all loose ends are tied, the film seems to carry on for 10 minutes too long and could’ve been trimmed.
In Conclusion: not a masterpiece by any means, but an enjoyable, funny, sad and uplifting tale of what life is really like when you stand back! All ages would enjoy it too (12 and up!)
Starring: Keir Gilchrist, Zach Galifianakis, Emma Roberts
Plot: a depressed teenager is submitted into an adult psychiatric ward, after convincing his Doctor that he’s suicidal.
A suicidal teenager opening a film wasn’t quite the beginning you’d expect from a cheerful film… but it is! Whilst it all sounds terribly difficult to watch, it changes quite suddenly within the first thirty minutes of the film. Firstly, both directors of the film are incredibly underrated; both have directed episodes of the magnificent ‘Big C’ programme, as well as a number of independent films I have yet to watch. The main strength of the film are the characters; Craig, our main, played by Keir Gilchirst, seems to be really negative about all things positive, as well as going through some of the most embarrassing and cringe-worthy moments a teenager could wish for. Bobby, played by Zach Galifianakis is also a wonderful edition to the film; whilst I have found Galifianakis very samey and not particularly funny in all his films, the script here allows him to really use his acting skills as well as to prove that he doesn’t need crude humour to be funny. As well as the main characters, numerous other mad, crazy, insane individuals move into the picture throughout and add some very sad but also very humorous moments which are little touches but add a lot more to it.
As I have said, the film isn’t depressing at all. The storyline has been arched so well as to show the change our main characters go through and both Boden and Fleck, the directors, do a terrific job at showing the journey of a claustrophobic young man, coming out of his shell gradually.
Perhaps the film’s only negative point is its length; it’s 101 minutes drag towards the end. Whilst the characters have brilliant storylines with a well-thought out script to go by, once all loose ends are tied, the film seems to carry on for 10 minutes too long and could’ve been trimmed.
In Conclusion: not a masterpiece by any means, but an enjoyable, funny, sad and uplifting tale of what life is really like when you stand back! All ages would enjoy it too (12 and up!)
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