MOVIE OF THE WEEK #2 (8/19/16): DON'T THINK TWICE
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| "Believe or not, this is what a lot of improv groups actually look like once they have a bad show ... Or a really good one with access to alcohol afterwards!" From L to R: Lindsay (Tami Sagher), Samantha (Gillian Jacobs), her boyfriend Jack (Keegan-Michael Key), Bill (Chris Gethard), Allison (Kate Micucci) star in DON'T THINK TWICE. Credit: Jon Pack. © 2016 The Film Arcade. |
WATCH THE TRAILER(S) HERE:
WRITER(S): Mike Birbiglia
DIRECTOR(S): Mike Birbiglia
DIRECTOR(S): Mike Birbiglia
WEB SITE: http://dontthinktwicemovie.com/
HERE'S THE STORY: A story anyone who has ever aspired to achieve their dream only to see the stark realities that can go with trying to achieve it, Don't Think Twice stars Keegan-Michael Key as Jack and Gillian Jacobs as Samantha. A couple away from the stage, they are also two members of The Commune, a New York City-based improv troupe founded by Miles (writer/director Mike Birbiglia) – a man who's apartment may be cramped but his ego is not. Joining them are Bill (Chris Gethard), who's been busy dealing with some unexpected family drama, Allison (Kate Micucci), an aspiring sketch book author who hasn't had the courage to finish her project and Lindsay (Tami Sagher), who was fortunate enough to be born into a wealthy family so she can pursue her entertainment dreams without worry.
All the members of The Commune share the same dream: To get the chance to audition for and be chosen to be a cast member of "Weekend Live," a very Saturday Night Live-like sketch show on a major network run by a very Lorne Michaels-like head honcho. So what happens when Jack and Samantha get selected for that very audition?
The results will prove to tougher than any unscripted situation the group has every tried to take on before a live audience.
HERE'S THE STORY: A story anyone who has ever aspired to achieve their dream only to see the stark realities that can go with trying to achieve it, Don't Think Twice stars Keegan-Michael Key as Jack and Gillian Jacobs as Samantha. A couple away from the stage, they are also two members of The Commune, a New York City-based improv troupe founded by Miles (writer/director Mike Birbiglia) – a man who's apartment may be cramped but his ego is not. Joining them are Bill (Chris Gethard), who's been busy dealing with some unexpected family drama, Allison (Kate Micucci), an aspiring sketch book author who hasn't had the courage to finish her project and Lindsay (Tami Sagher), who was fortunate enough to be born into a wealthy family so she can pursue her entertainment dreams without worry.
All the members of The Commune share the same dream: To get the chance to audition for and be chosen to be a cast member of "Weekend Live," a very Saturday Night Live-like sketch show on a major network run by a very Lorne Michaels-like head honcho. So what happens when Jack and Samantha get selected for that very audition?
The results will prove to tougher than any unscripted situation the group has every tried to take on before a live audience.
WHO WILL LIKE THIS FILM THE MOST? Stand-up comedians and improv players; Keegan- Michael Key fans; Gillian Jacobs fans;
WHO WON'T (OR SHOULDN'T) LIKE THIS MOVIE? People unfamiliar with the world of how one may or may not make it in the entertainment business; struggling entertainers in any field who may not want to face the reality of their situation;
SO, IS IT GOOD, BAD OR ABSOLUTELY AWFUL? A lot of movies, save for the occasional biopic of a famed star, hero or infamous historical figure, explore the idea of what it means to try and "make it." Few in recent memory, however, have taking a look at what not making it means and how hard it can be coming to grips with the harsh reality of failure – especially with such insider authenticity – as Don't Think Twice (the title referring to an old improv rule for performers).
As someone who has experienced and detailed hell gigs for years on the road, development deals and TV pilots himself, (both in his act and his previous film Sleepwalk With Me), Birbiglia has a first hand knowledge of just how many failures one may endure before they are able to enjoy success. Likewise, he also has come across a countless number of talented people who were never going to achieve the heights they so desperately wanted to achieve. (FULL DISCLOSURE – this reviewer has opened for Birbiglia before; I don't know why I chose THIS section of the review to reveal that, but I digress ...) Thus, the subject matter detailed in Don't Think Twice has an air of authenticity that simply can't be faked.
The film wouldn't have any cache, however, without the stellar performances of its cast, each of whom plays their role so well they fit together just like the improv outfit they portray to make an impact for the greater good (a.k.a. the troupe over the individual). Key – an alumni of the original MADTV who showed plenty of talent only to be rewarded with dwindling ratings – and Jacobs (who has endured similar struggles of her own, especially during her run on the oft-beleaguered Community) draw from their own experiences with aplomb in Don't Think Twice. Whereas one explores the troubles that come with the idea of actually having everything you've ever dreamed for now in your lap, the other excels at exploring the idea of finding your niche and being content with it.
Then again, the rest of the cast excels in proving the mantra of "no small roles, only small actors" to be true. For his part Birbiglia plays out the role of the guy who can't let go of his dream and is forced to deal with where he truly is in his life once he is forced to by his troupe and a old flame (Maggie Kemper) who pulls no punches. (When Kemper's character, who is the same age as Birbiglia's, says she's "not spending the night in his college dorm," you can almost feel his character's inner Peter Pan as he is gut punched while Tinkerbell grimaces from the sidelines.) Likewise, Gethard and Micucci and play the roles of the nice and talented but too quiet to take people by storm male and female with adept skill. While the former has family issues getting in his way that go with his too often being the butt of the joke nature, the latter simply lacks the overt self-confidence one needs to stand out. Sagher – best known for her contributions as a writer on Inside Amy Schumer – also utilizes her screen time well, nailing her character's role (saying more would be too big of a spoiler) with ease.
The thing you'll notice about Don't Think Twice is how each actor doesn't really have to; for they are clearing all portraying various elements of either his or her self and/or the people they have encountered (or previously were) in their respective careers. This is what enables to do everything from nailing the idiosyncrasies comedians have on and off stage to the nervous tics they suffer when they meet people they aspire to be that can also make or break their careers.
It's almost like a Secret deodorant ad in that while the film is seemingly made for entertainers, it is strong enough for general audiences since the idea of success, heartbreak and finding peace with one's slate in life is a universal theme. After all, as ANOTHER cliché goes, tragedy + time = comedy. Yes, the story may be familiar, but like a good improv troupe, Don't Think Twice breathes fresh life into it to make it novel and worthy of standing on its own merit.
And in exploring failure, Birbiglia has created a successful dramedy worth watching from beginning to end.
SO, IS IT GOOD, BAD OR ABSOLUTELY AWFUL? A lot of movies, save for the occasional biopic of a famed star, hero or infamous historical figure, explore the idea of what it means to try and "make it." Few in recent memory, however, have taking a look at what not making it means and how hard it can be coming to grips with the harsh reality of failure – especially with such insider authenticity – as Don't Think Twice (the title referring to an old improv rule for performers).
As someone who has experienced and detailed hell gigs for years on the road, development deals and TV pilots himself, (both in his act and his previous film Sleepwalk With Me), Birbiglia has a first hand knowledge of just how many failures one may endure before they are able to enjoy success. Likewise, he also has come across a countless number of talented people who were never going to achieve the heights they so desperately wanted to achieve. (FULL DISCLOSURE – this reviewer has opened for Birbiglia before; I don't know why I chose THIS section of the review to reveal that, but I digress ...) Thus, the subject matter detailed in Don't Think Twice has an air of authenticity that simply can't be faked.
The film wouldn't have any cache, however, without the stellar performances of its cast, each of whom plays their role so well they fit together just like the improv outfit they portray to make an impact for the greater good (a.k.a. the troupe over the individual). Key – an alumni of the original MADTV who showed plenty of talent only to be rewarded with dwindling ratings – and Jacobs (who has endured similar struggles of her own, especially during her run on the oft-beleaguered Community) draw from their own experiences with aplomb in Don't Think Twice. Whereas one explores the troubles that come with the idea of actually having everything you've ever dreamed for now in your lap, the other excels at exploring the idea of finding your niche and being content with it.
Then again, the rest of the cast excels in proving the mantra of "no small roles, only small actors" to be true. For his part Birbiglia plays out the role of the guy who can't let go of his dream and is forced to deal with where he truly is in his life once he is forced to by his troupe and a old flame (Maggie Kemper) who pulls no punches. (When Kemper's character, who is the same age as Birbiglia's, says she's "not spending the night in his college dorm," you can almost feel his character's inner Peter Pan as he is gut punched while Tinkerbell grimaces from the sidelines.) Likewise, Gethard and Micucci and play the roles of the nice and talented but too quiet to take people by storm male and female with adept skill. While the former has family issues getting in his way that go with his too often being the butt of the joke nature, the latter simply lacks the overt self-confidence one needs to stand out. Sagher – best known for her contributions as a writer on Inside Amy Schumer – also utilizes her screen time well, nailing her character's role (saying more would be too big of a spoiler) with ease.
The thing you'll notice about Don't Think Twice is how each actor doesn't really have to; for they are clearing all portraying various elements of either his or her self and/or the people they have encountered (or previously were) in their respective careers. This is what enables to do everything from nailing the idiosyncrasies comedians have on and off stage to the nervous tics they suffer when they meet people they aspire to be that can also make or break their careers.
It's almost like a Secret deodorant ad in that while the film is seemingly made for entertainers, it is strong enough for general audiences since the idea of success, heartbreak and finding peace with one's slate in life is a universal theme. After all, as ANOTHER cliché goes, tragedy + time = comedy. Yes, the story may be familiar, but like a good improv troupe, Don't Think Twice breathes fresh life into it to make it novel and worthy of standing on its own merit.
And in exploring failure, Birbiglia has created a successful dramedy worth watching from beginning to end.
OVERALL RATING (OUT OF FOUR POSSIBLE BUCKETS OF POPCORN):
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