It's Kind of a Funny Story is based on the 2006 novel by Ned Vizzini, and is definitively one of the better movies created in the past year of 2010. It follows a depressed teenager who becomes suicidal and checks himself into a psychiatric hospital. The book is inspired by the authors own brief experience with being hospitalized for depression.
Craig the narrator is 15 year old of age and live with what he would call a standard family in an upper-middle class Brooklyn neighborhood. With an overprotective mother, and a dad which life is his job, he seem to struggle finding a balance in the everyday life. He attends the prestigious Executive Pre-Professional High School. Overwhelmed with stress and academic pressure, the leading role himself reflects over what could be seen as deeper and more philosophical questions, to why everybody is able to keep up with changes, why can't thing be the way they used to. Why can everybody handle this, and not him.
He calls 1-800-SUICIDE and is admitted to the nearest psychiatric hospital. Where he meets the all so famous Zach Galifianakis (known from movies such as Hangover), and gorgeous Noelle, played by Emma Roberts. With help from Noelle, Craig confronts the sources of his anxiety and starts to regain his health. During his recovery and the hospital and the minor flirts going on with Noelle, he discovers his interest for art, specifically stylized maps.
The Movie brings a lot to the table, it reflects over the pressure teenagers might face in today's world. It has it certain moments with funny quotes, and episodes, and what could be a better ending then two people finding love in a psychiatric hospital.
The movie it self is hard to describe with words, take my recommendation to watch the movie, take your time to understand it, try and find the deeper meaning that for me personal got me so attached to the movie.
5 / 6 stars
