It`s kind of a funny story - DVD

Film: Thanks to the great success of Hangover and Deadline, many smaller productions in which comedian and actor Zach Galifianakis has worked, now make it to Germany. So also the tragic-comedy It`s kind of a funny story, in which Galifianakis may embody again a somewhat weird character. But all fans of the brute Hangover humor be warned: the differences between this little indie pearl and the blockbuster comedy could hardly be bigger.

The story centers on 17-year-old Craig (Keir Gilchrist), who feels a great emptiness inside him and would like to end his life. But since he is not yet ready to take this last step, he admits himself to a psychiatric clinic in the hope that there he can learn something like joy in life. In his mentor Bobby (Zach Galifianakis) and the young Noelle (Emma Roberts) he actually finds two people who give him hope for a new chance. But to do so, he must first learn to believe in himself - and that`s a hell of a long way to go.

It`s Kind of a Funny Story, the film adaptation of Ned Vizzini`s novel A Really Crazy Story, is a charming tragicomedy that lives primarily from its endearingly quirky characters. Especially the sometimes very loving, sometimes extremely hot-tempered Bobby, who longs so much for his child but is kept away from him due to his mental instability, is an interesting and somehow charming character that Zach Galifianakis brings to life in his own special way.

While the story and its characters may not measure up to other psychiatric films like K-Pax or the classic One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden have brought Vizzini's book to life in a very likable way. The actors add a considerable amount to this, whether it's lead actor Keir Gilchrist, or supporting actresses Emma Roberts and Lauren Graham (Gilmore Girls). However, the fact that the actual problems of the protagonists are dealt with rather superficially is a bit of a negative. Surely the characters are drawn sensitively. But the crucial reasons, which make their stay in the clinic necessary, are only really addressed in the beginning.

However, It`s kind of a funny story doesn`t really need this to get its message across. The bottom line is that this independent comedy has become a nice, endearing film with a very good cast, which will certainly disappoint Hangover fans, but can entertain lovers of small, somewhat more sophisticated US comedies in its very own, somewhat quieter way. Recommended!

Picture + Sound: The color scheme captures the hypothermic atmosphere of the clinic on the one hand, the warmth of the story on the other very well. Thanks to the decent overall sharpness, the clean picture is also otherwise on a good level. As is to be expected from a small comedy, the sound is also decent here and comes without any big surround effects. Good!

Extras: The short features on the premiere in New York and the sneak peek of the film are just very skimpy promo clips with little of real interest to tell. A few cut scenes in unfinished state, as well as just under 10 minutes of outtakes are also still on the program. Quite nice, but also dispensable.

Conclusion: It`s kind of a funny story is a nice little indie comedy, which can convince with quiet humor rather than with brute gags. Well acted and sensitively directed, this DVD premiere proves to be a secret tip for lovers of unspectacular American tragicomedies. The DVD is technically well realized, but the bonus material proves to be a bit too superficial. Recommendable

An article by Frankfurt-Tipp