I’ve never seen any of Birbiglia’s work and know next to nothing about improv, but this is a fantastic, lovable film about holding on to a moment in life. and when to let go.
the characters here are a sort of “Inside Out” for struggling artists, with each improv member representing a different personality trait. the egoist who steps over his friends to make it. the delusional who can’t see his own talent flaws. the realist worried about complete failure. the procrastinator filled with self-doubt. the hesitant dreamer who loves the way everything is now and wants to keep it that way forever.
there are very few movies that see failure all the way through to the end -- usually the protagonist hits rock bottom, then comes out even better. here it’s confronted head-on. loved that aspect of it, as well as the aforementioned necessity of moving on from a time and place in life. not necessarily moving on, either -- just adapting. because life and friends and goals never stay the same.
on a super limited run right now (100 theaters, I believe) but highly recommended as soon as you have the means to see it.
3. "Saw this last Thursday and really enjoyed it." In response to Reply # 0
It was really well-made. Good pacing, good performances, and enough humor to balance out the dramatic tension between the characters and their challenges.
Birbiglia's comedy is interesting. Tt weaves drama and humor, and this movie did as well.
4. "Some real life shit with that made me glad that...." In response to Reply # 0
these type of movies are still getting made. As I get more and more jaded with superhero shit and big budget wackiness, these little gems really hit me harder than before. I loved Sleepwalk with Me and Birbiglia is the kinda dude I have to root for. Jacobs was fantastic too.
5. "Birbiglia has one of the best standups on Netflix right now" In response to Reply # 0
"My Girlfriend's Boyfriend" is a Cosby Style extended metaphor of a standup that is must see TV...especially if you got your boo-boo stink over for some Netflix and Chill
1. Was anyone else bothered by the fact that the two black people in the movie were the two people who weren't team players. (I've actually heard a performer bitch about this so seeing it here brought back that awkward conversation.)
2. The happy ending felt off. Maybe it's my own experience with life in the entertainment industry but it also felt unearned and it just fell into their laps. Apparent sugar mama strolls into his life, dude inherits a building which allows the classes to keep going, etc.
3. The Trapped in the Well thing irked me. I get that she's happy teaching but not quite sure why she had to break up with Key. Being alone in the well isn't that healthy, right?
Still, always good when a movie provokes thought and it was well made, I just was a little too on the outside, in terms of love of the improv world, for this one I think.
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