The drama in “It’s Kind Of A Funny Story” deals with Craig, a teenager, who suffers from deppression, insecurity and pressure, like most teenagers. He dreams of suicide, through jumping on a bridge, but somehow finds the courage to call help and checks himself in a hospital for further medication.
So what’s funny in the story?
To tell you upfront this is not a funny film comparable to “Hangover” or “Wild Child”. But it is funny enough to make your heart smile and your eyes sparkle. My theory of why they call it a “funny story” is the concept of you first think of yourself as worthless, then later you think yourself as genuine, like you have a function on this greater and bigger system we live. The idea is dull but to some degree, it’s actually funny. The moment you realize it’s all there in you, sleeping, you just have to wake up at the right time and the right place. By that, I’m talking about our main character, Craig, who feels he is talentless but later finds out he has a talent in drawing, who feels he is inspireless but later inspires everyone else.
Is suicide the main theme?
Although his suicidal thoughts is the reason in the first place that moves the story, this idea, as the film progresses, is negligible. (But maybe I have to rethink about that because all of the patients in the hospital are, one way or the other, brought by suicide attempts.) The story deviates from its premise in the first encounter where Craig meets Bobby, a frustrated father, by then the story talks about friendship. There’s also a time when Craig meets Noelle, a lovely lady who is about the same age as Craig, by then the story talks about infatuation. You might think there’s a danger of the film playing many concept at one but surprisingly the film delivers it well.
It’s tiring seeing films with extreme conflicts, the one that talks about life and death or love and hatred or travel throughout world. Perhaps, you might opt to see real mundane things happening to a person, without the aid of superficial conflicts. I might contradict my point since it isn’t normal to be in a hospital ward because of suicide attempt but then again this isn’t about suicide. The film also plays metaphors. Upon staying in the hospital, Craig shares a room with Muqtada, an egyptian who secludes himself from the world and spends all his time in bed, but he is not bedridden. I could easily see him as a friend who can’t find any place in this world and thus makes his own world. He is pitiable and is need of help, by then the story talks about service.
So how was Emma Roberts?
Emma Roberts, as Noelle, has a mild role. It’s logical to the part she plays. Noelle is just another plot device to realize how genuine Craig is. Zach Galifianakis, the founder of Hangover’s wolf pack and one of the main reason why Hangover received a sequel, is still amusing as he plays Bobby. When Bobby asks what Craig thinks of why he is in the hospital, Craig says “I heard you tried to rape a penguin at the zoo.” Bobby is alarmed and retorts, “Who told you that?” That line made me squeaked. That was priceless.
It’s really amazing how actors can adapt different character stories and still manages to convince us that it is their personal life.You may think that Emma Roberts always plays a warm character. But if you happen to see “Lymelife”, you can see Emma in a seductive role, though not in anyway fetish. There was scene where Emma flaunts her chest and teases her partner. I can never forget that. That made me think that actors do illuminate magic.
The verdict
In essence, the film is dramatic but the narrative is funny. The film is no puzzling code. You can take it at face value and still get that same mild experience. But sometimes if we dig deep, we feel deep. (But if we dig deeper, we drown. Kay?)
You know what’s funny? I watched It’s Kind of a Funny Story like a year ago, and after all this time I started thinking about it and felt like watching it again. And right there, at the same time, you write a review about it. I love this kind of coincidences 😛 Now, I don’t think this movie is brilliant or anything, but simple as it is, I loved it. I really like watching movies with Emma Roberts, and even more if they’re like this one (I don’t like Wild Child very much). Can you think of any movies of the same style, for teens but not stupid?
To finish, I just wanted to say that my favourite part was the end, in which the protagonist numbers all the good things about his life, and you can see him with Noelle, riding a bike, etc. I rewinded it and watched it again, because it was really beautiful 🙂
Same style? I can’t really think of any. I think I haven’t found any teenage films that uses extensively uses non-diegetic insert. I don’t know. Maybe Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)? If you happen to see that, you’ll recognize that the protagonist talks directly to the viewers, literally. For instance, he pauses and he looks at the camera directly and talks to you. Too bad, I forgot the name of the technique. <_<
I know right? That is also one reason that set this film apart from the others. Using still images as a conclusion. :]
BTW. The movie you reviewed, Breakfast Club, was really great. I happen to watch it last last last week or something like that XD I think old movie are still better than the new ones. Don't you think?
I often discuss that with my brother, weren’t movies from the 80’s and the 90’s better than the new ones? You see a lot of crap nowadays. But I think that’s mainly because at present a lot more movies are made each year. Maybe some years ago, you had one awesome movie per year, and now you still do, but there are so many other bad movies that they shadow the good ones. Anyway, it’s just a theory. But I love watching the oldies! BTW, I’ve been planning to watch Ferris Bueller’s for ages! It’s about time I finally sit down and see it 🙂 Are you planning to review it?
That’s the other thing, we have boatload of films per year. The other thing is films have become so commercialize that they produce formulaic, cliche stories to please the general “audience”. I don’t know about the Hollywood but that is basically happening here in the Philippines. That’s why I prefer watching old films, they are, in some sense, have purity.
I reviewed Ferris Bueller long time ago, along with other films, but only on the first draft. As of now, I don’t have the luxury of time writing post. Blame that to the upcoming midterm requirements. <_<
BTW, Kung hei fat choi!
That’s a good point! Hadn’t thought about it, and it’s probably a big reason why we have so many bad movies nowadays, in comparison with some decades ago.
Now I’m in total vacations for four months, I’m starting University at the end of March 🙂 I’m super excited about it, though the same as you, I don’t think I’ll have much time to write reviews then.
Oh, and I have no idea what the last sentence means xD Which language is it?
Hi Ben, been a while! How are you? Nice review. I hadn’t heard of the film and it looks rather nice. The reason why I think the title has it’s a funny story is because when something opposite happens that’s how we talk about it… “you know it’s a funny story, i was going to jump off the bridge, but …”
This was heaps interesting. You’e got my interesting. I hope it hits Australia soon. Love the actors!
It really is. I guess this is already in DVD. You should check it out!
[…] As to why this is ‘kind of a funny story’, I found this piece which explains this very well. You can go and check that out: https://magicoficecream.wordpress.com/2012/01/08/its-kind-of-a-funny-story-funny-may-not-be-the-right… […]