Alec B
There are really great subtle moments of performance and observation, also the movie features an appropriate balance of joyous and uncomfortable sequences that effectively show Improve for the beautiful, chaotic art form that it is. All this being said, the movie feels lacking in some ways. Certain relationships don't feel well defined (especially Birbiglia's subplot with an old high school crush which feels forced) and the overall plot could have used a bit more cohesion.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
12/14/23
Full Review
isla s
This is a dark comedy film about a close knit (well, initially) group of friends known as an informal improv comedy group, who find themselves facing a number of awkward situations, including one of them moving on to bigger things. Some of the reactions to situations were surprisingly bitchy and I didn't find it especially funny, although others may find it amusing. I found it cringe-worthy at times (particularly when the group decided to make bad impersonations of someones ill fathers bad speaking voice - as was said, how inappropriate) and would say that it came across to me as more of a slowish drama than a comedy as such.
It got a better in the 2nd half, as I felt the characters opened up a bit about things and they seemed slightly more likeable but not a great amount, just a bit. It didn't really appeal to me much at all overall and I certainly didn't find it memorable, so I wouldn't recommend it.
Rated 2/5 Stars •
Rated 2 out of 5 stars
03/31/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Don't Think Twice
There are few movies that came out this year that have given me more to think about than "Don't Think Twice." A movie that finds the perfect balance of funny and thought provoking. Though not a perfect movie, it manages to bring the viewer in and makes you feel like a part of show.
Interestingly enough, the concept of engaging the audience is half the premise of the film. The plot of the movie centers around a struggling improv group made up of six up-and-coming comics. Many scenes in the film are just the group performing in front of an audience at a small New York theater. And even though each crowd stays thoroughly engaged through each performance and the troupe is well liked, the theater is closing and the comics are forced to shop their act to the next bidder.
The movie works as a satire of the comedy industry and of a performer or artist's life in America. For example, move to a big city (New York), find your niche (improv), and try to make it. At the beginning of the film, we see just how these characters struggle living their daily lives, working menial jobs like delivering food and being a hostess at a restaurant. And working these types of jobs is the truth for many fledgling performers everywhere.
But pretty early in, we see the gateway to the promise land, "Weekend Live", the film's version of Saturday Night Live. All six of our lead characters strive to this nearly impossible standard set by mainstream society. As the movie shows us, you only truly make it as a performer if you land a TV Series, in this case it's Saturday Night Live's evil twin, doppelganger. Things start to get to get really interesting though when two of the characters get auditions for weekend live. These two happen to be a couple, Jack and Samantha played by Keegan-Michael Key (Key and Peele, Mad TV) and Gillian Jacobs of Community fame. Jack is really excited about the audition and goes in guns a blazing. Samantha is equally excited if not a little hesitant about her shot at the "big time". She gets her best voice impersonations ready, she practices hard, but is somehow not as into it as her partner Jack, who perfects a "mean" and "spot-on" Barack Obama. The outcome of the auditions will remain a mystery. See the movie!
But the fact that we care at all about the outcome is a credit to writer/director Mike Birbiglia who also stars in the movie as one of the performers, Miles, who also works as an improv teacher. He sets a light, but serious tone for the movie that takes us into the lives of these characters and makes them likable if not relatable. In addition, one of the many strengths of the movie comes from his giving every one of the performers their own sub plot and individual story line. And Most of them work, like the Jack and Samantha relationship, Miles as a 36-year old man-child who sometimes dates his students, and Lindsay, played by Tami Sagher (How I Met your Mother) as an unemployed, but budding writer who lives at home with her parents.
However, at a brisk 92 minutes, the film isn't overlong and usually capitalizes on its opportunities for adding engrossing back-stories and humor. The star of the film though is definitely Jacobs as Samantha. Her performance surges through the movie like adrenaline through a beating heart. She's always the one who opens and leads the improv shows with the question, "Who has had a really bad day?" And the character, Samantha, as admitted by Jack is just as appealing if not more so than him. Her voices in particular are superb and are a film highlight. But what ties everything together in the film is the reality that not everyone makes it, not everyone gets the opportunities, and nothing lasts forever! Even the promise land, "Weekend Live" doesn't ideal.
In short, "Don't Think Twice" doesn't sugar coat or glorify anything, it's just the way it is. This quality and the film's many other attributes make it one of the best movies about the stage or acting industry that I have ever seen!
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
02/22/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Not a single laugh, this movie is more sad than anything. Of course it gets high critic ratings, most terrible movies do!
Rated 1/5 Stars •
Rated 1 out of 5 stars
06/22/20
Full Review
Frances H
A very enjoyable and nostalgic view of young comics and a study of those who make the big time and those who don't. It's lonely at the top.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
05/30/20
Full Review
Audience Member
Always funny, often heartfelt, and occasionally emotional, "Don't Think Twice" is a brilliant look at the underground improv scene from comedian Mike Birbiglia and what it's like to be a struggling comedian trying to "make it big" and the pros and cons of success.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
01/15/23
Full Review
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