Directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, It's Kind Of A Funny Story centers on a young man named Craig (Keir Gilchrist), a teenager suffering from depression. The opening scene of his failed suicide attempt immediately inducts us into the dark edge that the film exhibits on and off throughout, but once he calls a suicide hotline and becomes admitted to his nearest hospital, the tone begins to change. As bleak as this movie could be, it sidesteps the darkness inherent in films that revolve around mental patients and becomes a celebration of helping yourself and others through difficult times. The story never bears down on the audience like a strict drama, but never makes light of its material like a comedy. This is ultimately why it's so enjoyable. The darkest moments of the film are often highlighted with a heartfelt moment of spontaneous comedy, usually by Zach Galifianakis, that provides the perfect balance for the film to come off as quite sincere.
Jesse Gumbarge is editor and chief blogger at JarvisCity.com - He loves old-school horror films and starting pointless debates. You can reach out at: JesseGumbarge@JarvisCity.com
