If youre an avid This American Life listenerand you should beMike Birbiglias funny, anecdotal shtick wont be anything new. In fact, the actual details of his life, which routinely make it into his stand-up and the essays he occasionally broadcasts on the popular radio show, should also be familiar. The film is a recap of his professional development as a comedian and the method by which he began incorporating his personal life into his work. Birbiglia co-writes along with TAL creator Ira Glass, co-directs with actor and theater director Seth Barrish, and stars alongside Six Feet Unders Lauren Ambrose. The two play Matt and Abbyfictionalized versions of Mike and his one-time fiancéewho struggle with Matts inability to commit to marriage and his frequent exploitation of their lives for a laugh.
If youre easily scared off by the rom-com, Sleepwalk With Me is about as disarming as they come. Its far more com than rom, and Birbiglia has an impressive ability to win over the audience. Just when you think youre ready to quit giving this sad sack another ounce of your attention, he stumbles, like a new puppy, and the pathos begins anew. Birbiglia is not exactly acting here, as hes playing himself, yet his act is so intertwined with his life I get the sense that off stage he probably feels pressure to live his life as if he were still on it. Sleepwalk With Me follows a pretty common arc, and although its very good, it isnt necessarily a groundbreaking film, so I guess Im saying I cant tell if Birbiglia is imitating life or art.
This movie is just on the edge of mainstream consciousness, as Avengers director and all-around entertainment demi-god Joss Whedon is well aware, or so his viral campaign attests. Its rare to find a scene here that would reveal the films low budget, and it has the kind of wide appeal that will almost surely make it a success. In short, people will be (and already are) talking about this one. The story of Birbiglia (who calls himself Matt Pandamiglio in the film) from no-name wannabe hack to successful circuit comedian is not particularly special, but if anything, its a heartfelt and engaging tale of the underdog finally making it, and the barrage of sharp one-liners levitate it: I didnt want to get married until I was sure that nothing else in my life could possibly get better.
The talented Lauren Ambrose fills her role perfectly. Shes the anchor, keeping the film from becoming just another string of Birbiglias hilarious anecdotes. As Abby competes against Matts career, theres actually some substance. Theres drama. Though I feel its a little easy to pit Abbys domestic desires against the tumultuous and unpredictable swings of a touring comedians lifestyle, at least its a conflict with universalities. Go see this with a significant other and tell me it doesnt resonate. I dare you.
True, the relationship drama receives a fairly broad treatment. Are they having trouble because he doesnt want to get married, or because he doesnt want to get married to Abby? Theres not quite a satisfactory answer. But aside from the feeling of conventionality, or simplicity, that Sleepwalk With Me exudes, theres an awful lot to like about it. Watch for comic in-crowders like Marc Maron, Hannibal Buress, and Kristen Schaal to name a few, and great characters in Alex Karpovsky as a fellow comedian, James Rebhorn as Matts overbearing and sarcastic father, and Sondra James as Matts batty agent. Oh yea, and Joss Whedon is being facetious, FYI.
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