Alicia
I love this movie so much
ThiefHott
Too much of everything
BootDigest
Such a frustrating disappointment
annevejb
I found this because it is an Emma Roberts, and to me it was, as with most of her stuff, worth finding. That definitely includes Nerve (2016), about kids playing an internet dare game.It's A Kind Of Funny Story is effective teens with problems re mental health. I have no idea how the fee paying USA system deals with the full range of that, but the UK has been underfunding this sector for some time so the National Health Service and education services are of limited help.This is a fun story that mostly manages to be sympathetic. Cuckoo's Nest seemed to set a precedent for including patients going AWOL and I wonder how those are intended to be understood by those who consider mental patients as dangerous? That is the aspect of the story that I personally would prefer to be other, to me it spoils the sympathetic view.My experience of mental health support is that it can help some, while being retrograde for many others. This exploration of those it can help feels useful for considering the wider situation. I consider this story to be filmic literature rather than a gripping yarn.
dirtphelia
What did I just have to skip through to just get to the end and find out what happens? There are many problems with this whatever-shite-is, but the main issue is that it downplays mental illness and not only turns into a joke, it romanticizes it. It actually tries to make mental illness hip and trendy.Depression and other types of mental illness are very serious. Mental hospitals are also very serious. They're not little "vacations" as the vapid main character puts it. Serious depression isn't just something you "feel sometimes" as the main character's self-absorbed best friend puts it. Taking medication isn't cool as the other self-absorbed friend tries to imply.What is wrong with the people who made this junk?! And it's unrealistic from the get-go. What mental hospital admits an underage kid without his parents' consent? Where does that exist? Then it just lets mental patients stroll in and out of the ward? RUN??? One of the things one learns when one goes to a psych ward is: DON'T RUN.GARBAGE.And the color palette? Everything has to be muted neutrals or some pretentious crap? Get over yourselves.This "movie" needs to be burned.
Floated2
What makes this film not as good as it could have been is not necessarily the writing or directing but the lead actor portraying the character of Craig (Keir Gilchrist). Within the first few scenes, the audience understands he is going with problems and is shown as depressed but we are also noticing his behavior towards his family and friends, and he comes off as completely unlikable. In films such as this where we are meant to root for the lead character (specifically) because of his illness, it makes it more difficult since his character is not fully worth rooting for. Though as the film progresses, and Craig becomes settled in with his current situation, his tendencies become more likable.Easily what turns out to be the standout of the film is the performance and presence of Zach Galifianakis. His character is the most fascinated and we are sensed that there is something complicated and deliberate happening with his character. He appears to have the second most screen time, after Craig. His overall story seemed better than Craig's but unfortunately we are left with not as much as it could have been, as this film is completely centered around Craig. The supporting characters of Emma Roberts, and Viola Davis are there simply for support of Craig, as they are not given as much to do.Overall, It's Kind of a Funny story is not a bad film, but depends on the certain atmosphere and type of film one is intending in watching. The film quite feels more of a teenage Disney sitcom split into 4 episodes rather than one lengthy film. Having the film rated PG-13, the director and writer were most definitely held back. With an R rating, this film could have been more powerful, more impactful and possibly shown more depth in performances. They could have done wonders given this subject matter (perhaps a more depressing and different film) but one would think it would have been better. Think Brick or Charlie Bartlett.
ICanNeverThinkOfAGoodUsername
The first I watched this film I thought it was amazing and I gave it a 10/10. However, when I watched it again I'd give it a 5/6. I think the extent to how much you enjoy this film depends on how you're feeling.When I first watched this film I was quite down, therefore this film really made me realise a lot of stuff. Whereas, now I'm watching this film with a completely different mindset.The main character, Craig... He represents a lot of people and a lot of people can relate to him in a lot of different ways. You can also relate to his friends and family throughout the film as well. It's a good film with a good meaning behind it.I wouldn't rate it higher because after seeing it again... I think it's good but not that good. I get what the film is trying to say and it all makes sense... But that's it. It's not exactly life changing, in saying that the first time I saw it I would have said the film was life changing...I'd recommend this film... It puts your life into perspective to some extent.
