The Nevada Sagebrush

“It’s Kind of a Funny Story” centers around a group of patients in a psychiatric hospital. Photo courtesy of Focus Features.

Rarely are movies as aptly named as “It’s Kind of a Funny Story,” a recently released coming-of-age film based off the novel of the same title by Ned Vizzini. The title, with particular emphasis on “kind of,” does a pretty good job of summarizing the movie in six short words.

Almost all of the central action of the film takes place in the psychiatric wing of a hospital, where depressed and suicidal teen Craig Gilner (Keir Gilchrist, “Dead Silence”) checks himself in for treatment. The people that surround him, the main cast of characters in the film, are all dealing with their own personal weaknesses — some more extreme than others — in a poignant representation of the world at large — everyone is just a little bit crazy.

At times, the film seems to belittle the mental problems of its characters, particularly in a scene where one of Craig’s romantic interests tells him how “mature” he is for being really “messed up.” But the film also addresses the universality of depression when Craig’s friends reveal that they, too, have experienced deep sadness, doubt and apathy.

In fact, it is only by being surrounded by others with problems equal to or greater than his own that Craig learns to appreciate what he does have and search for the reasons behind his depression. Craig’s friendship with fellow patient Bobby (Zach Galifianakis, “The Hangover”), in one of the film’s standout roles, helps him realize the importance of making the most of the better parts of his life.

In fact, Bobby seems to be a representation of what would happen to Craig — or perhaps to anyone — if he were never to learn how to heal. In that regard, the film sends out a powerful message: All of us have mental problems, but it is in recognizing them that we overcome them and survive.

One of the highlights of the film is its trip into Craig’s imagination, projecting his dreams, memories, and anxieties into visual form, giving viewers a better sense of who he truly is and what he keeps inside his head. Without them, neither Craig’s personality nor his hope for health and happiness could ever translate to the film’s audience.

Overall, the film boldly takes on teenage and adult issues, portraying them in a way that uncovers their inevitability and our hope for overcoming them. The film leaves many parts of the ending ambiguous, touching just enough on the tension between sadness and happiness for its viewers to consider it kind of a funny story.

‘It’s Kind of  a Funny Story’

Release Date: Oct. 8

Director: Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck

Starring: Keir Gilchrist and Zach Galifianakis

Genre: Comedy, Drama

Rating: PG-13 for mature thematic issues, sexual content, drug material and language.

Grade: C+

Leanne Howard can be reached at arts-entertainment@nevadasagebrush.com.

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