Swamped with pressure from school, high school student, Craig (Keir Gilchrist) contemplates suicide, but instead of going through with it, he manages to talk himself into getting some help. He’s admitted to an adult psychiatric ward where he’ll spend five days taking part in counselling sessions and group activities before he’s allowed to go home. At first it’s hard to get round the initial story, a teenager who believes he’s so depressed he’s on the verge of suicide, yet he manages to bring himself to A&E to get himself help. The first few scenes give us an image of a very self-indulgent, spoilt boy, and I was pretty sure it wasn’t going to be someone I could connect with. As the story progresses we learn more and it’s easier to understand where he’s coming from. Although the film starts off a little slow and rather offbeat, once it finds its rhythm and we have a sense of what the film’s about, it shows real heart and is really uplifting. The cast are all perfectly chosen, as they work really well together, and a lot of the scenes flow easily because of this. Playing opposite Keir is Emma Roberts, who proves she’s someone to watch in the future. Her character is strange and sweet and she shows she has leading lady ability. Zach Galifianakis is slowly breaking out of the standard comedy mould he’s been labelled with and shows he has a lot of depth. There’s a lot of comedy that he provides in this film, but more than that, real emotion, which is refreshing to see. Making It’s Kind Of A Funny Story that little bit different, some scenes are spliced with artwork and animation that bring the previous scenes alive, and it breaks up the location too. As this film is primarily set in one place, the hospital, it’s a real achievement that it really feels like its set in New York. New York’s influence pops up through flashbacks, dream scenarios and a lovely end scene that overlooks the city. It’s beautifully done and gives this isolated world a real connection to something bigger. On top of all this, it has an absolute killer soundtrack that includes Method Man, Broken Social Scene, Imelda May and The XX. The writers are definitely influenced by music, as there are many references to über cool artists like Bob Dylan, Pixies and Vampire Weekend, which pop up in dialogue. There’s also a fantastic cast rendition of Queen and David Bowie’s Under Pressure that shows genuine warmth and fun. If only Glee was like this, maybe I’d watch it. It would be all too easy to dismiss this film initially as yet another, quirky, offbeat comedy, but this one truly has substance. Some may argue this is a serious subject that’s made too light hearted, but that seems to be the point. Boden and Fleck have not intended on making a Girl, Interrupted drama here, and it should be taken as it was intended by the filmmakers, caring and fun. Extras Along with the feature you also get a few extras including a selection of deleted scenes, outtakes, a documentary called A look inside ‘It’s Kind of a Funny Story’ and a brief look at the premiere of the film in New York.
