"Don't Think Twice" (2016 release; 90 min.) brings the story of a fictional improv group in New York. As the movie opens, we get a thumbnail introduction on improv ("1. Say yes; 2. It's all about the group; 3. Don't think") and then we are introduced to The Commune, consisting of 6 improv performers. It's not long before two of them are asked to audition for Weekend Live, a Saturday Night Live-type show. This could be the big break they've always dreamt about! At this point, we're 10 min. into the movie, but to tell you more of the plot would spoil your viewing experience, you'll just have to see for yourself how it all plays out.
Couple of comments: this is another tour de force from Mike Birbiglia, whose 2012 debut feature film "Sleepwalk With Me" was one of my favorite movies of the year. Here Birbiglia writes, directs, produces and stars in a bittersweet look at the lives of improv performers who can barely get by financially, but they are nevertheless quite happy with their lives. Or are they? I must tell you, I knew some, but not a whole lot, about the movie going into the theater today. The fact that this was a Birbiglia product was enough for me. I had expected a funny, maybe even laugh-out-loud, movie. Turns out that, while there are some funny moments here and there, this is not a 'comedy' as I understand that term, but rather a drama about ordinary people facing difficult career choices, At one point the group is watching Weekend Live, and one of them comments "Very skillful, but not funny', and one could apply that label to this film as well. The ensemble's acting performances are superb, none more so for me than Gillian Jacobs as the ever hopeful and determined improv performer.
"Don't Think Twice" opened this weekend at my local art-house theater here in Cincinnati and I couldn't wait to see it. The Saturday matinée screening where I saw this at was PACKED if you can believe that. I wonder if others in the theater felt like me, namely expecting a funny moving but instead getting a bittersweet movie about life instead. Regardless, I enjoyed the movie from start to finish. "Don't Think Twice" is most definitely worth checking out, be it in the theater, on Amazon Instant Video or eventually on CVC/Blu-ray.
Couple of comments: this is another tour de force from Mike Birbiglia, whose 2012 debut feature film "Sleepwalk With Me" was one of my favorite movies of the year. Here Birbiglia writes, directs, produces and stars in a bittersweet look at the lives of improv performers who can barely get by financially, but they are nevertheless quite happy with their lives. Or are they? I must tell you, I knew some, but not a whole lot, about the movie going into the theater today. The fact that this was a Birbiglia product was enough for me. I had expected a funny, maybe even laugh-out-loud, movie. Turns out that, while there are some funny moments here and there, this is not a 'comedy' as I understand that term, but rather a drama about ordinary people facing difficult career choices, At one point the group is watching Weekend Live, and one of them comments "Very skillful, but not funny', and one could apply that label to this film as well. The ensemble's acting performances are superb, none more so for me than Gillian Jacobs as the ever hopeful and determined improv performer.
"Don't Think Twice" opened this weekend at my local art-house theater here in Cincinnati and I couldn't wait to see it. The Saturday matinée screening where I saw this at was PACKED if you can believe that. I wonder if others in the theater felt like me, namely expecting a funny moving but instead getting a bittersweet movie about life instead. Regardless, I enjoyed the movie from start to finish. "Don't Think Twice" is most definitely worth checking out, be it in the theater, on Amazon Instant Video or eventually on CVC/Blu-ray.