From the title itself, we are bombarded with the concept that this is going to be a movie about improv. As such, it would be assumed that this is going to be a dramedy or comedy about improv.
It's about an improv troupe, that's true enough, but it's not very funny outside of the actual improv performances, which are sometimes clever (not sure if they were scripted or not). It's just a straight drama, I would say.
Outside of their comedic performances, the characters are rather pathetic and depressing. Their behavior when socializing with people they don't know embodies this, as they're awkward and sycophantic. That's not to say it's bad or it's bad acting - pathetic characters have their place in cinema and "cringe" is certainly as valid a target of artistic expression as any.
As for the theme of this film, the opening scene is devoted to a brief history on improv, so the director really tried to shove this down our throats. Maybe it was meant to express that life is like improv in that unexpected things happen? How trite.
Fortunately, if this was the intention, it completely missed the mark. The main thrust is really about exploring the lives of people on the wrong side of 30 who were passionate about something - dare I say, devoted their lives to it - and don't end up accomplishing their ultimate goal before the big 4-0 (in this case to become TV famous).
Seems like lots of movies are doing this lately, but it's probably been around for a while. It was one of the subplots of "Death of a Salesman," let us not forget. What happens when someone turn 40 and find that the American Dream has passed them by after 4 decades of struggle? Do they accept their lot with dignity and cash out what little they can? Do they become embittered and pugnacious? Do they keep up the fight?
The theme here is effectively, if narrowly, explored.
When one member of the company gets a big break after decades of working the circuit, the other characters are all thrown into a jumble of emotions. Some are bitter and jealous, some are inspired to take a long look at their own lives, one comes to realise that doing what she loves was worth it despite not achieving society's measure of ultimate success.
Nevertheless, what we get here is far more pastel than The Hammer (2007), which handled this topic in a funnier, more touching, and more effective way. This film, in turn, is bland. The performances and humour are very subdued. It's also narrow - it offers no resolution and just explores the characters' emotional reactions to their frienemy's success.
Honourable Mentions: Don't Look Now (1973). This movie's title sounds as sinister as the 1973 horror classic. Big shoes to fill for such a good title and "Don't Think Twice" couldn't do it.
It's about an improv troupe, that's true enough, but it's not very funny outside of the actual improv performances, which are sometimes clever (not sure if they were scripted or not). It's just a straight drama, I would say.
Outside of their comedic performances, the characters are rather pathetic and depressing. Their behavior when socializing with people they don't know embodies this, as they're awkward and sycophantic. That's not to say it's bad or it's bad acting - pathetic characters have their place in cinema and "cringe" is certainly as valid a target of artistic expression as any.
As for the theme of this film, the opening scene is devoted to a brief history on improv, so the director really tried to shove this down our throats. Maybe it was meant to express that life is like improv in that unexpected things happen? How trite.
Fortunately, if this was the intention, it completely missed the mark. The main thrust is really about exploring the lives of people on the wrong side of 30 who were passionate about something - dare I say, devoted their lives to it - and don't end up accomplishing their ultimate goal before the big 4-0 (in this case to become TV famous).
Seems like lots of movies are doing this lately, but it's probably been around for a while. It was one of the subplots of "Death of a Salesman," let us not forget. What happens when someone turn 40 and find that the American Dream has passed them by after 4 decades of struggle? Do they accept their lot with dignity and cash out what little they can? Do they become embittered and pugnacious? Do they keep up the fight?
The theme here is effectively, if narrowly, explored.
When one member of the company gets a big break after decades of working the circuit, the other characters are all thrown into a jumble of emotions. Some are bitter and jealous, some are inspired to take a long look at their own lives, one comes to realise that doing what she loves was worth it despite not achieving society's measure of ultimate success.
Nevertheless, what we get here is far more pastel than The Hammer (2007), which handled this topic in a funnier, more touching, and more effective way. This film, in turn, is bland. The performances and humour are very subdued. It's also narrow - it offers no resolution and just explores the characters' emotional reactions to their frienemy's success.
Honourable Mentions: Don't Look Now (1973). This movie's title sounds as sinister as the 1973 horror classic. Big shoes to fill for such a good title and "Don't Think Twice" couldn't do it.