'It's Kind of a Funny Story'

'It's Kind of a Funny Story' (PG-13) (3 stars)

Writers and Directors: Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck based on book by Ned Vizzini
Starring: Keir Gilchrist, Emma Roberts, Zach Galfianakis, Lauren Graham, Jim Gaffigan, Zoe Kravitz, Jeremy Davies, Adrian Martinez, Viola Davis

"It's Kind of a Funny Story" is brought to us by the outstanding writing and directing team of Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck. They brought us two of the beat movies in the past decade "Sugar" and "Half Nelson". This is not in that league but they know how to tell a simple, moving story here without giving it a Hollywood gloss. This is like a junior "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" with a dash of "Breakfast Club" thrown in. The movie tells the story of a depressed teenager named Craig who is feeling suicidal. He checks himself into a mental hospital and meets who he thinks is a doctor. They strike up a friendship and later Craig finds out that this man is really a patient. The man is Bobby and he is played by Zach Galfianakis who is gaining quite a huge popularity lately. We meet all the other patients in the adult ward where Craig has to go because the kids section is under repair. Back home his parents mean well but can't help him and he is in love with a girl who is dating his best friend. He strikes up another friendship with a beautiful but physically scarred girl Noelle who is played by Emma Roberts. When we meet all the patients we are reminded of Cuckoo's Nest but Fleck and Boden bring a fresh and more youthful look at depression.

Fleck and Boden are amazing writers and here their story doesn't reach greatness but it is still moving and potent material. The main characters are all well acted and Keir Gilchrist is effective in the lead. My two favorite performances are by Galfianakis and Emma Roberts. Galfinaikis is a very funny actor as was shown in "The Hangover" but I was really impressed by his dramatic acting here. He has some funny lines and delivers them so well but he also touched me here and created a very emotional performance. Emma Roberts is going to become an amazing actress and her work here is outstanding. She has excellent screen presence and she creates someone we care about and want Craig to be with. She is a very captivating actress who I look forward to seeing more. Soon she will get out from under her aunt's shadow and possibly become a bright new star. She has the potential to be a very great actress. I wasn't bowled over by this movie, I could do without the musical interludes and dream sequences but I like all the characters, cared about Craig, Bobby and Noelle and wanted to see them get out from their sad state of depression. Fleck and Boden are great talents and they tell good stories and I can't wait to see what they come up with next. Now I know that there is someone out there who still knows how to write and wants to tell a good story that isn't force fed to us.