Amazon.com: Customer reviews: It's Kind of a Funny Story

Reviewed in the United States on October 24, 2019

I had never heard of this film until it popped up in the recommendations while I was looking at something else. I like Emma Roberts, so I decided to give it a shot, and I'm glad I did. Although its presentation is slightly offbeat and even comical at times, the subject matter is handled with the appropriate respect and provides thoughtful insight to mental illness. It has many profound scenes that make the characters--and audiences as well--think about the perspectives they have on their lives. The movie wasn't nearly as funny as I was led to believe it would be, but again, given the subject matter, I understand why it wasn't filled with constant humor. This is not the type of movie I would normally pick out, but it was very well made, and I would recommend watching it at least once.
Parental Guide:
The film focuses largely on themes of depression and attempted suicide. There are some sexual situations and dialogue but no nudity or anything graphic. There is one F word and a moderate amount of PG-13 swearing.

43 people found this helpful

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me

...and take your medication if it helps

Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2020

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Was the kid a danger to himself? Maybe. Was he dealing with coming of age stresses and worries as he experiences the joys of childhood naivete slipping away and the decisions of adulthood looming - or was he clinically depressed? Great cast, good representation of people with a variety of mental conditions, though probably a prettier and more fun picture of a mental ward than can be real. The ending will probably help people who are stressed out, but not people who are clinically depressed.

Not a single mental health caution mentioned or resource for a Suicide Hot LIne before or after the film. This was not a comedy. Mental illness is not funny. This film paints a very unrealistic view of someone snapping out of it in 5 days, but a good idea to seek medical assistance. Would have given more stars if the makers of this film had taken the subject more seriously. NOT A COMEDY

17 people found this helpful

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Endearing story about a teen dealing with pressure anxiety & sanity

Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2021

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Keir Gilchrist is stressed out about school, his future and girls. You would think that would make It’s A Funny Kind Of Story your typical coming of age tale accept Keir is suicidal. He check himself into a hospital where he meets a cast of characters including Emmba Roberts and Zach Galifianakis. It’s a very endearing story.

It’s A Funny Kind Of Story presents the anxiety that Gilchrist faces that leads him to contemplate killing himself. It becomes an exploration into this life about how he grew up, how his parents were unaware and indifferent to his problems, his friends, etc.

One of the best scenes is a fantasy sequence when there’s musical therapy and Gilchrist and the others are all transformed into Rock performers decked out doing a version of Queen and David Bowie’s Under Pressure.

Galifianakis almost steals the show sometimes. He gets to play his usual irrelevant self. The first time he shows up for instance he stole a doctor’s scrubs so he could sneak into the check in center to get some coffee. When he hears about Gilchrist being suicidal he says he should be chasing girls instead like it’s no big deal. Other times he gets to play serious as he has real problems with his mental health and family. It’s something he usually doesn’t get to do.

7 people found this helpful

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Endearing with a hint of melancholy

Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2021

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Its Kind of a Funny Story has some wonderful actors and despite having some typical elements of boy and girl rom-com cheese, this movie errs on the side of deep seated sorrow. The main character is a young teen who, having some depression and suicidal dreams, decides to check himself into the hospital, basically insisting he be admitted. Having worked in these types of facilities, all the situations involving this hospital were totally unrealistic, but I was willing to watch for the sake of movieland dramatization despite these fallacies. This teenage boy was not a typical kid, he was gifted with the knack of seeing just what made people tick, including his roommate who never left his bed. It was sweet to see him learn about himself in the middle of his hospitalization going from depressed and stressed (as a teen sounds so difficult) to hopeful and inspired. The art in this movie is excellent! That was honestly my favorite part of the film! How the director was able to stitch the art into the film and keep that as the string that ties the whole story together is beautiful. It was a great movie. In the end, I felt happy with a hint of sadness, but I guess that's just how life can feel sometimes.

11 people found this helpful

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Maria

Unexpectedly wonderful unique film

Reviewed in the United States on January 22, 2021

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The boy who played the protagonist did a wonderful job; he's very talented, and it's a great casting job including others. Characters are built well, smooth editing, cool creative artwork, and I think the director did a wonderful job with this film. But first and foremost, it's a nice story with the artistic perspective of the protagonist who eventually learns about a life though other characters in turmoil. It's not dark at all despite the subject matter, in which I don't think it's easy to create the balance between committing a suicide and comedy. The comedian (sorry I can't remember his name, but like his works) who played Bobby was a good job too. I didn't know Jim Gaffigan, my favorite comedian, was in this film (played the father). I thought they all did a great job here.

10 people found this helpful

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shopalot

not a comedy but definately a good watch

Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2021

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I think it's about time someone made a movie like this where a suicidal/depressed person does seek help, is supported by family and friends and finds that the system, though imperfect, can help you sort out your turmoil. REALLY not sure why this is labeled a comedy. More light drama with a serious look at real issues. Some wrote that they thought the boy revealed about himself as "self indulgent" was not a great resolution. I have suffered depression and suicidal ideation as well. Honestly, much of depression is from self pity and self indulgence so to speak. I have real problems which dont need to be aired here. However to come to a realization at a young age that you can self perpetuate your own depression is a HUGE step. Great touches on all psych issues without over exposure. Having been a health care provider, it is not that they "don't care". They are there to keep perspective and to help people realize how resilent they actually are. If health care workers involved themselves on every level of each one's issues, they would be suicidal themselves! I thought healthcare was reflected accurately, not aloof. Some went the extra mile. Some held back. Everyone is different. Bottom line....a call for everyone to wake up to seeking help. Know its ok to call the hotline, and to share your story. Kudos to the storyline for showing a positive outcome when not everyone does. But good things CAN happen

7 people found this helpful

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ArsMagna

Propaganda

Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2021

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This movie is as clsoe to a lies as is possible, whitewashing the mafia of mental illness malpractice syndicate, the pharmaceutical cartels and insurance grifters that own the American medical-psychiatric business. The people who run these organizations are not healers, they are gangsters who profiteer from human suffering. Shrinks are witchdoctors with PHD's who have next to no understanding of human nature, the pharmaceutical cartels are pernicious drug dealers who's object is to get as many people hooked as possible and the insurance industry profiteers from offering reduced rates for grotesquely overinflate charges for healing that is not only inefficient, but reminiscent of the medieval ignorance of mental illness.

5 people found this helpful

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Colton Williams

Favorite movie ever

Reviewed in the United States on June 18, 2015

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When I first watched this movie, I had been in the process of watching many films that reviewers would like much more than this. This is a movie you just have to experience, not necessarily critique everything. Some people will connect with this movie and some won't. It might not be as detailed as the book, however I thought this movie was very touching. It deals with a very touchy subject, depression and the results of depression. Even though I caught myself laughing a lot, I caught myself tearing up during the conversations between Craig and Bobby, and then laughing again shortly after. This because of Zach Galifianakis' and Keir Gilchrist's wonderful acting. This movie changes its tone a lot, however it always keeps a similar vibe. You're either crying, laughing....or just thinking. It is very hard to find a movie even similar to this. It is a movie that I catch myself quoting and thinking about when life gets tough. I will try to watch this only on special occasions just so I don't spoil it. If you haven't watched this movie, it is worth an hour and a half of your time. I do recommend watching the movie first and then reading the book. Also I didn't know of what happened to the author before watching this movie, I was very saddened and discouraged at hearing the news. R.I.P. Ned Vizzini. His life and his story has helped saved many people. Thank you for reading this.

38 people found this helpful

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Richard Snouffer

On Being Real and Gaining Perspective

Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2021

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This is an enjoyable story showing that being genuine and giving, can help yourself as well as others. This is NOT just another "teen angst" movie. It shows how dropping all the defensive walls many people think they need to project, and being a real version of yourself can help move your life in a genuinely better direction.

Spoiler alert: (Kind of . . . depending on how strictly you define "spoiler")
A teen with typical adolescent tunnel vision on his own problems, makes the "mistake" of demanding admission to a hospital psych ward, mistaking his suicidal ideations for an actual suicidal intention. While inside he develops some real relationships with real people in the ward with him, helping them because he is a giving individual with the ability to think of someone besides himself. In meeting and getting to know real people with real and far more extensive problems than his typical teen stresses, helps him gain perspective into his own problems in return.

I spent some time treating psychiatric inpatients while training for my job. This movie treats psychiatric inpatient experience with great delicacy, and the grittiness of an actual ward is not present. However, the omission of many of the worse behaviors of people in general, and psychiatric patients in specific, helps to humanize the protagonist's fellow inpatients instead of providing the distraction that showing a potential "freak show" of bizarre behaviors that its inclusion could have easily caused (particularly to the non-medical audience). This device helps to further the intended plot arc of the movie, helping to develop it and its characters more thoroughly, and I believe adds more to the movie, and its story, than it takes away.

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‘Becca’ the tiger girl ;-)

Keep expectations of topic matter very low or you will be disappointed

Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2022

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I thought the subject matter would be put into a movie in a way to help those watching grow and want to understand more. It doesn’t deliver. It’s very important for more movies to tell the story but skipping the clichés. Just keep it real. The boy checking himself in to an adult ward and finding a young very attractive young girl in the same ward while having his teenage long time crush dating his friend show up to his room in the adult ward and start making out with him. Then he leaves a few days later with all the perspective, insight and normalcy more than an above avg teenager. like it’s a quick fix of mind over matter and everything is better. it trivializes it and plays to the majority who roll their eyes currently with family members, school mates or work mates. Watch it for the humor and love story instead of it being a movie to break down prejudices. I came in with high hopes and crashed when I realized it wasn’t going to deliver my personal admittedly high expectations.

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5 star		70%
4 star		15%
3 star		8%
2 star		3%
1 star		4%

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