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Amazon.co.uk Review
When 16-year-old Craig (Keir Gilchrist, The United States of Tara) gets admitted to a psychiatric ward, he's hoping for a quick fix for his suicidal impulses--but then he learns he can't leave for five days… which turn out to be the most transformative days of his life. It's Kind of a Funny Story takes a fairly thread-worn premise--that the mentally disturbed have life lessons to offer the supposedly sane--and breathes some fresh life into it with generous writing and solid performances. Craig's most important relationship is with Bobby (Zach Galifianakis, The Hangover), a troubled father who transfers some parental affection to Craig; the conversations between the two of them are above and away the heart of the movie--a genuine and nuanced portrait of two people grappling with depression and neurosis. Stand-up comedian Galifianakis is turning into one of those character actors who give every movie they're in a boost; his performance here is honest, sensitive, and without a shred of self-pity or pandering. The rest of the movie is uneven--a romance with a self-cutting young girl (Emma Roberts, Nancy Drew) is pleasant but bland, and some therapy scenes are obligatorily heartening (though again, elevated by the acting, in this case Viola Davis, Doubt)--but the relationship between Bobby and Craig makes the whole movie well worth watching. --Bret Fetzer
DVD Description
Adapted from Ned Vizzini’s 2006 novel, It's Kind of a Funny Story tells the story of burnt-out teenager Craig (Keir Gilchrist), who checks himself into a mental health clinic citing exhaustion, and finds himself placed in the adult ward due to the fact that the youth ward has been shut down. Taken under the wing of fellow patient Bobby (Zach Galifianakis), the stressed-out 16-year-old attempts to endure his mandatory five days' stay without completely losing his mind. His predicament is made somewhat more tolerable by the presence of Noelle (Emma Roberts), another teenage patient who's struggling to sort out her thoughts.
Special Features:
Special Features:
- Deleted scenes
- Outtakes
- Look inside It's Kind of a Funny Story
- It's Kind of a Funny Story premiere in New York City
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This film is based on the book It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini, which in turn is based on his own experience of a brief stint in a psychiatric hospital for depression.
It's kind of a funny story follows our 16 year old high-achieving protagonist, Craig (played by Keir Gilchrist), as he wrestles with the pressure placed on him by life in general. Feeling depressed & suicidal, he goes to his doctor in desperation who is convinced enough to transfer him to '3-North' the secure psychiatry wing of the hospital for an observational 1 week stay.
Convinced that he doesn't belong in the ward full of schizophrenics, self-harmers and agoraphobics Craig is initially a little sceptical that this is the place to help him. After meeting fellow patient Bob (Zach Galifianakis -The Hangover) he begins to open up as Bob shows him that his life just isn't that bad. Things perk up for Craig when he meets Noelle; a self-harmer in whom he really finds a kindred spirit who helps him discover just what he wants from life.
IKOAFS is a simple premise but delivers 101 minutes of straight-forward character development, we really see Craig grow as a person through the story as he learns what is important to him and to stop worrying about the insignificant stuff that is the cause of his stress. Keir Gilchrist fills the role out perfectly, really emoting well and whilst Zach Galifianakis still has the trademark beard (would anyone recognise him clean-shaven??) his character really shows more of his acting range and proves he isn't just a one-trick pony for ridiculous lines with deadpan delivery. The supporting cast are more than capable and provide a rich tapestry of mentally-afflicted characters to juxtapose just how "normal" Craig actually is.
The stylised maps Craig draws (after discovering art-class) are fantastic and the "Under pressure" musical scene is one that will stay with you well after the credits have rolled. Whilst this film probably won't win any awards and only justified a limited cinematic release, this is a touching feel-good film that steers clear of the usual psychiatric ward clichés and has you rooting for Craig the whole way. Definitely worth a watch, recommended!!
It's kind of a funny story follows our 16 year old high-achieving protagonist, Craig (played by Keir Gilchrist), as he wrestles with the pressure placed on him by life in general. Feeling depressed & suicidal, he goes to his doctor in desperation who is convinced enough to transfer him to '3-North' the secure psychiatry wing of the hospital for an observational 1 week stay.
Convinced that he doesn't belong in the ward full of schizophrenics, self-harmers and agoraphobics Craig is initially a little sceptical that this is the place to help him. After meeting fellow patient Bob (Zach Galifianakis -The Hangover) he begins to open up as Bob shows him that his life just isn't that bad. Things perk up for Craig when he meets Noelle; a self-harmer in whom he really finds a kindred spirit who helps him discover just what he wants from life.
IKOAFS is a simple premise but delivers 101 minutes of straight-forward character development, we really see Craig grow as a person through the story as he learns what is important to him and to stop worrying about the insignificant stuff that is the cause of his stress. Keir Gilchrist fills the role out perfectly, really emoting well and whilst Zach Galifianakis still has the trademark beard (would anyone recognise him clean-shaven??) his character really shows more of his acting range and proves he isn't just a one-trick pony for ridiculous lines with deadpan delivery. The supporting cast are more than capable and provide a rich tapestry of mentally-afflicted characters to juxtapose just how "normal" Craig actually is.
The stylised maps Craig draws (after discovering art-class) are fantastic and the "Under pressure" musical scene is one that will stay with you well after the credits have rolled. Whilst this film probably won't win any awards and only justified a limited cinematic release, this is a touching feel-good film that steers clear of the usual psychiatric ward clichés and has you rooting for Craig the whole way. Definitely worth a watch, recommended!!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I've never read the book to the film, so I'm going to review the film without such judgements.
The film's plot is about a depressed boy going through pressures in life, such as getting into a good school, dating issues, stressful parents. He thinks about suicide, but instead feels as though he should get checked into a hospital for some medication for his illness. Doesn't sound very funny, right? However, he finds that he must stay in a psychiatric ward for a whole week, meeting some of the patients who are more messed up than he believed he was.
Frankly, I had low expectations given the critic's reviews. But I think they got it wrong this time. This film is at times moving, with the main character, Craig, learning some life lessons along the way. Galifianakis, who plays Bobby (an adult patient who shares more in common with Craig than both of them realise) does an exceptionally great performance, expressing charm and amiability within every role. Newcomer Keir Gilchrist's acting reminds me a bit of Michael Cera's 2-dimensional personalities, but he has his own quirkiness that brings something new to the table. Emma Roberts, the female love interest of Craig is also likable, but I think she is a bit too cheerful to be playing a self-injurer.
The ending, while it leaves you wanting more, is feel-good and uplifting. There are moments of sadness mixed in with hilarity and ridiculousness, and somehow it never feels as though the two parts don't fit in together.
By far a different, but wholly satisfying film!
The film's plot is about a depressed boy going through pressures in life, such as getting into a good school, dating issues, stressful parents. He thinks about suicide, but instead feels as though he should get checked into a hospital for some medication for his illness. Doesn't sound very funny, right? However, he finds that he must stay in a psychiatric ward for a whole week, meeting some of the patients who are more messed up than he believed he was.
Frankly, I had low expectations given the critic's reviews. But I think they got it wrong this time. This film is at times moving, with the main character, Craig, learning some life lessons along the way. Galifianakis, who plays Bobby (an adult patient who shares more in common with Craig than both of them realise) does an exceptionally great performance, expressing charm and amiability within every role. Newcomer Keir Gilchrist's acting reminds me a bit of Michael Cera's 2-dimensional personalities, but he has his own quirkiness that brings something new to the table. Emma Roberts, the female love interest of Craig is also likable, but I think she is a bit too cheerful to be playing a self-injurer.
The ending, while it leaves you wanting more, is feel-good and uplifting. There are moments of sadness mixed in with hilarity and ridiculousness, and somehow it never feels as though the two parts don't fit in together.
By far a different, but wholly satisfying film!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
As an on off psychiatric ward visitor myself, I thought this film rocked!
Although it's a very funny feel good film with very pretty cast members like Emma Roberts, it's not dissimiar to a real life loony bin - trust me here.
'It's Kind of a Funny Story' is based on a 2006 novel by American author Ned Vizzini. It follows a depressed teenager who becomes suicidal and checks himself into a psychiatric hospital. This film adaptation, directed by Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden, was released in the United States on October 8, 2010.
The lowdown: Craig, the narrator, is 15, and lives with his family in an upper-middle class Brooklyn neighborhood. He attends the prestigious Executive Pre-Professional High School, having studied arduously to win admission. Once admitted, however, he becomes overwhelmed by the school's intense academic pressure. His stress eventually manifests itself in depression. After he stops taking medication prescribed by his psychiatrist, his depression builds until he is admitted to a psychiatric hospital.
Craig meets a female patient, Noelle (Emma Roberts), who coped with a history of sexual abuse by cutting her face with scissors. In isolation from the outside world, and with help from Noelle, Craig confronts the sources of his anxiety and finds redemption and maybe even romance...telling more would be wrong.
This a great movie, with an excellent cast and script (look out for Zach Galifianakis from 'The Hangover', for one, plus Zoe Kravitz (Lenny's daughter).
Recommended.
Although it's a very funny feel good film with very pretty cast members like Emma Roberts, it's not dissimiar to a real life loony bin - trust me here.
'It's Kind of a Funny Story' is based on a 2006 novel by American author Ned Vizzini. It follows a depressed teenager who becomes suicidal and checks himself into a psychiatric hospital. This film adaptation, directed by Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden, was released in the United States on October 8, 2010.
The lowdown: Craig, the narrator, is 15, and lives with his family in an upper-middle class Brooklyn neighborhood. He attends the prestigious Executive Pre-Professional High School, having studied arduously to win admission. Once admitted, however, he becomes overwhelmed by the school's intense academic pressure. His stress eventually manifests itself in depression. After he stops taking medication prescribed by his psychiatrist, his depression builds until he is admitted to a psychiatric hospital.
Craig meets a female patient, Noelle (Emma Roberts), who coped with a history of sexual abuse by cutting her face with scissors. In isolation from the outside world, and with help from Noelle, Craig confronts the sources of his anxiety and finds redemption and maybe even romance...telling more would be wrong.
This a great movie, with an excellent cast and script (look out for Zach Galifianakis from 'The Hangover', for one, plus Zoe Kravitz (Lenny's daughter).
Recommended.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Brilliant uplifting film
Brilliant uplifting film, even though it starts with a young man wanting to commit suicide. He signs himself in to a psychiatric unit for five days and meets all sorts of people... Read more
Published 2 months ago by E. Hunt
Great Film
Great film, well worth buying just try not to watch the trailer because most of the good jokes are revealed in it.
Published 3 months ago by Danmon
Uplifting, Sad, Funny & Wonderful!!
You must watch this film!!!
I watched this film both as a lay person and as a mental health professional and from both viewpoints found this film warm, funny, sad and... Read more
I watched this film both as a lay person and as a mental health professional and from both viewpoints found this film warm, funny, sad and... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Karen
HILARIOUS!
IT'S KIND OF A FUNNY STORY was a terrifically smart and funny drama that will have you pounding your fists on the ground with laughter! It is just hilarious! Read more
Published 10 months ago by G. Stephenson
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