It's Kind of a Funny Story (film)
| It's Kind of a Funny Story | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster |
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| Directed by | Anna Boden Ryan Fleck |
| Produced by | Kevin Misher Ben Browning |
| Screenplay by | Anna Boden Ryan Fleck |
| Based on | It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini |
| Starring | Keir Gilchrist Zach Galifianakis Emma Roberts Viola Davis |
| Music by | Broken Social Scene |
| Cinematography | Andrij Parekh |
| Editing by | Anna Boden |
| Studio | Alliance Films Misher Films Wayfare Entertainment |
| Distributed by | Focus Features |
| Release date(s) | September 26, 2010 (Milwaukee) October 8, 2010 (United States) |
| Running time | 101 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $8 million[1] |
| Box office | $6,491,240[2] |
It's Kind of a Funny Story is a 2010 comedy-drama film written and directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, an adaptation of Ned Vizzini's 2006 novel of the same name. The film stars Keir Gilchrist, Zach Galifianakis, Emma Roberts, and Viola Davis. It was released in the United States on October 8, 2010.
Contents |
[edit] Plot
After contemplating suicide by jumping off the Brooklyn Bridge, 16-year-old Craig Gilner (Keir Gilchrist), decides to go to the hospital to seek help. Craig tells Dr. Mahmoud (Aasif Mandvi) that he needs immediate help to which Dr. Mahmoud registers Craig for a one week stay in the hospital's psychiatric floor.[3][4] It is revealed that Craig has a lot of pressure at his high school, such as Executive Pre-Professional (based on Manhattan's Stuyvesant High School) stressing over the need to turn in an application for a prestigious summer school, his shortcomings in the shadow of his best friend, Aaron (Thomas Mann), who is considered to be great at everything, and his dad who pressures him to do well. At first, Craig is unsure if he made the right choice to stay, mostly due to the fact that his friends might find out when he misses school, especially Nia (Zoë Kravitz), his crush and the girlfriend to Aaron. He is placed in the adult ward with a few other teenagers because the teenage ward is undergoing renovations.
Craig is introduced to Bobby (Zach Galifianakis), an adult patient who claims he is only there on vacation, as he takes Craig under his wing. During a group discussion, Craig learns that Bobby is stressed about an upcoming interview in hopes of moving to a group home. When Bobby states that all he'll have to wear for the interview is the sweater he is currently wearing, Craig offers that Bobby could borrow one of his dad's dress shirts to wear, and Bobby accepts. Craig's kind offer to Bobby is witnessed by Noelle (Emma Roberts), another teenage patient who is in for self-mutilation. She is impressed by Craig and leaves him a note to meet with her that night. Later, Craig and Noelle attend a painting session for the patients. Craig paints a picture of an imaginary city map which he describes as like his own brain.
Throughout his stay, Craig comes to a close bond with various patients on the floor including Bobby and Noelle. Bobby reveals to Craig that he is a father of a little girl and that he is actually in the ward for attempting to commit suicide six times. As Craig tries to help Bobby with his problems, Bobby, in return, helps Craig to gain the courage to ask out Noelle. One night, Nia stops by to visit Craig at the hospital, revealing that she and Aaron had broken up. Craig takes Nia back to his room where she tries to seduce him. However, the two are caught by Craig's roommate Muqtada (Bernard White), an old Egyptian man who has not left the room during his stay. As Nia runs out of the room, Craig chases her and calls out that he loves her, unaware that Noelle is standing behind him. Upset, Noelle storms off leaving behind a drawing of a self-portrait that she planned on giving to Craig.
Craig eventually wins Noelle's forgiveness, and the pair sneak out of the ward in scrubs and run around the hospital, ending up on the roof. There, Craig finally works up the courage to ask her on a date, and they kiss. When Craig has an interview with the head doctor of the ward, he explains that he wants to follow his dream of being an artist, and how he should be thankful that his problems aren't as bad as others. Later that night, Craig gives money to one of the doctors so that the patients of the ward can have a pizza party as a good-bye party for Craig and Bobby. He asks Aaron to bring a record, where he discovers Aaron and Nia are working out their problems. At the party, Craig puts on Egyptian music which encourages Muqtada to leave his room. Craig tells Bobby that they should meet up one day once they are released, which Bobby considers, and thanks Craig for changing his outlook on life.
In the morning, Craig asks Smitty where Bobby is, but discovers Bobby had left the hospital much earlier that morning. Craig is a little disappointed, but is happy that he and Bobby had left an impression on each other. After Craig leaves, it is shown that he starts dating Noelle, becomes better friends with Aaron and Nia (who are still together), has started pursuing his goal of becoming an artist, and has broke the news to his dad that he isn't going to follow his path, but his dad understands. The movie ends with saying while his stay didn't cure him, it helped a lot, and he can get through the rest with the help of his friends and family.
[edit] Cast
- Keir Gilchrist as Craig Gilner
- Zach Galifianakis as Bobby
- Emma Roberts as Noelle
- Viola Davis as Dr. Minerva
- Zoë Kravitz as Nia
- Thomas Mann as Aaron Fitzcarraldo
- Aasif Mandvi as Dr. Mahmoud
- Bernard White as Muqtada
- Lauren Graham as Lynn Gilner
- Jim Gaffigan as George Gilner
- Matthew Maher as Humble
- Jeremy Davies as Smitty
- Mary Birdsong as Bobby's ex-wife
- Novella Nelson as The Professor
- Morgan Murphy as Joanie
- Dana DeVestern as Alissa Gilner
[edit] Production
In May 2006, Paramount Pictures and MTV Films acquired the film rights to the novel. Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck were hired to adapt the screenplay.[5] The film was later placed in turnaround and bought by Focus Features.[1]
Production began in New York City on November 30, 2009.[3] Principal photography took about six weeks, ending on February 2, 2010.[6] Scenes taking place in the fictional Executive Pre-Professional High School were shot at Poly Prep Country Day School in Brooklyn,[7] while Woodhull Medical Center in Brooklyn stood in for Argenon Hospital.[6]
As of May 13, 2010, the film completed editing.[8] Canadian indie rock band Broken Social Scene worked on the score for the film.[9]
[edit] Release
The film was originally scheduled for a limited release in the United States on September 24, 2010.[10] Focus Features later opted for a wide release of approximately 500 theaters across the US and a release date of October 8, 2010.[11] The film premiered at the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival.[12]
To coincide with the film's release, Hyperion Books published a new edition of the novel, featuring photos from the film on the cover.[13]
This film has been airing on HBO cable in the summer of 2011.[14]
[edit] Critical reception
The film has received generally positive reviews from most film critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a weighted mean rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the film received an average score of 63, based on 33 reviews, which indicates "Generally favorable reviews", and a user score of 7.5/10 which indicates "Generally favorable reviews".[15] Review aggregate Rotten Tomatoes gave the film a 58% rating based on 125 reviews, with an average score of 6/10 and a consensus of "It's amiable, and it does a surprisingly good job of sidestepping psych ward comedy cliches, but given its talented cast and directors, It's Kind of a Funny Story should be more than just mildly entertaining."[16]
[edit] Home media
It's Kind of a Funny Story was released on DVD and Blu-ray Disc on February 8, 2011.
[edit] References
- ^ a b Zeitchik, Steven (August 10, 2009). "Focus is on 'Funny'". The Hollywood Reporter. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3ice2557e822899daae3ff29cc01c24719. Retrieved June 12, 2010.[dead link]
- ^ It's Kind of a Funny Story at Box Office Mojo
- ^ a b Sciretta, Peter (November 30, 2009). "Ryan Fleck's It's Kind of a Funny Story Begins Production". /Film (slashfilm). Archived from the original on June 12, 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5qQBRv9ri. Retrieved June 12, 2010.
- ^ Zeitchik, Steven (September 15, 2009). "Zach Galifianakis eyes 'Funny Story'". The Hollywood Reporter. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3i54adc2f71aebbaa44d786faaaaf6152f. Retrieved June 12, 2010.[dead link]
- ^ Siegel, Tatiana (May 11, 2006). "Par, MTV tell Vizzini's 'Story'". The Hollywood Reporter. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002501143. Retrieved June 12, 2010.[dead link]
- ^ a b Vizzini, Ned (February 2, 2010). "Crust Punk and Terror -- a final report from It's Kind of a Funny Story". Ned Vizzini's blog at Filminfocus.com. Archived from the original on June 12, 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5qQILOgUU. Retrieved June 12, 2010.
- ^ Vizzini, Ned (January 5, 2010). "The Bends, the Brooklyn Bridge, & an Unheard-of Canadian Band -- on the set of It's Kind of a Funny Story". Ned Vizzini's blog at Filminfocus.com. Archived from the original on June 12, 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5qQH7967c. Retrieved June 12, 2010.
- ^ Vizzini, Ned (May 13, 2010). "Trailers: Go Getcher Money's Worth". Ned Vizzini's blog at Filminfocus.com. Archived from the original on June 12, 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5qQJ2uE73. Retrieved June 12, 2010.
- ^ MacRae, Kate (May 27, 2010). "Broken Social Scene's Justin Peroff Forms Side-Project With Stills Members". ChartAttack.com. Archived from the original on June 12, 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5qQJdgPeg. Retrieved June 12, 2010.
- ^ Subers, Ray (May 19, 2010). "MPAA Ratings: 'Toy Story 3,' 'Grown Ups,' 'Sorcerer's Apprentice' & More". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on June 12, 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5qQJnzN2x. Retrieved June 12, 2010.
- ^ Vizzini, Ned (August 17, 2010). "Quick Update: IT'S KIND OF A FUNNY STORY: Poster and New, **Wider** Release Date (October 8, 2010)". Ned Vizzini's blog. Archived from the original on August 23, 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5sCA00XDa. Retrieved August 23, 2010.
- ^ "TORONTO: Does Deal Flurry Bean Biz is Back?". Deadline: Hollywood. http://www.deadline.com/2010/09/toronto-does-deal-flurry-mean-biz-is-back/.
- ^ Vizzini, Ned (July 29, 2010). "It's Kind of a Funny Story Tie-In Edition, Reader Art, and Facebook Graffiti Art Contest". Ned Vizzini's blog. Archived from the original on August 23, 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5sCBMnIma. Retrieved August 23, 2010.
- ^ "HBO Schedule". yes. http://www.hbo.com/#/schedule/detail/It%27s+Kind+of+a+Funny+Story/554595. Retrieved 09/01/2011.
- ^ {{Cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/movie/its-kind-of-a-funny-story |title=It's Kind of a Funny Story Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More at Metacritic |work=Metacritic
- ^ "It's Kind of a Funny Story Movie Reviews, Pictures". Rotten Tomatoes. http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/its-kind-of-a-funny-story/. Retrieved 2011-4-3.
