It's Kind of a Funny Story

Plot

A clinically depressed teenager gets a new start after he checks himself into an adult psychiatric ward.

Release Year: 2010

Rating: 7.1/10 (29,846 voted)

Critic's Score: 63/100

Director:
Anna Boden

Stars: Keir Gilchrist, Zach Galifianakis, Emma Roberts

Storyline
Craig is a high-school junior, in the gifted program, infatuated with his best friend's girl. When he realizes he's suicidal, he checks himself into the psychiatric ward of a hospital, thinking they'll do an observation, help him, and send him home in time for school the next day. Once in, however, he must stay for a week; the juvenile ward is being renovated, so he's in with adults as well as a few youths. Bobby, a man with a young daughter, shows him around; Craig notices Noelle, about his age. He tries to keep his friends from finding out where he is. Little things: he draws, goes to therapy, sings, helps Bobby rehearse an interview. Is this the stuff of insight?

Writers: Ryan Fleck, Anna Boden

Cast:

Keir Gilchrist
–

Craig

Dana DeVestern
–

Alyssa

Lauren Graham
–

Lynn

Jim Gaffigan
–

George

Karen Chilton
–

Nurse Harper

Zach Galifianakis
–

Bobby

Aasif Mandvi
–

Dr. Mahmoud

Jared Goldstein
–

Ronny

Alan Aisenberg
–

Scuggs

Zoë Kravitz
–

Nia

Thomas Mann
–

Aaron

Jeremy Davies
–

Smitty

Rosalyn Coleman
–

Monica
/
'Under Pressure' Nurse #1

Viola Davis
–

Dr. Eden Minerva

Lou Myers
–

Jimmy

Taglines:
Sometimes what's in your head isn't as crazy as you think.

Details

Official Website:
Official Facebook |
Official site |

Release Date: 7 January 2011

Filming Locations: Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office Details

Budget: $8,000,000

(estimated)

Opening Weekend: $2,013,406
(USA)
(10 October 2010)
(742 Screens)

Gross: $6,350,058
(USA)
(21 November 2010)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Argentina: 101 min

Did You Know?

Trivia:

On the rooftop Noelle says that she likes the Pixies. Earlier, when she was mad at him and he was outside her door, an instrumental piano version of the Pixies song 'Where Is My Mind' is playing.

Goofs:

Continuity:
When Bobby and Craig are in the gym after playing basketball, Bobby is laying down on the floor. Bobby's shirt is covering and then is not covering the bottom of his stomach with each alternating shot.

Quotes:

Craig:
Okay, I know you're thinking, "What is this? Kid spends a few days in the hospital and all his problems are cured?" But I'm not. I know I'm not. I can tell this is just the beginning. I still need to face my homework, my school, my friends. My dad. But the difference between today and last Saturday is that for the first time in a while…

User Review

Fun and moving story about a teenager under pressure

Rating: 9/10


"It's Kind of a Funny Story" is based on the book of the same title in
which Ned Vizzini tells of his experience checking himself into an
adult psychiatric ward at the suggestion of a suicide hotline. The film
by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck is lighter than their previous two films,
"Half Nelson" and "Sugar", which deal with drug addiction and an
immigrant's experience. Still the issue of teenage suicide is a serious
one, even though Vizzini's book, and Boden/Fleck's screenplay, treat it
with many comedic moments. Keir Gilchist from "The United States of
Tara" is nuanced and convincing in the lead role, and is backed up by a
strong supporting cast led by Zach Galifianakis and Emma Roberts. If
you can remember or relate to what it is to be a teenager under
pressure from school, parents, friends, and life in general you will
like this movie. It will make you laugh, cry, and be glad to be
alive–isn't that what film is all about?