It's Kind of a Funny Story

It's Kind of a Funny Story

Directed by: Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck

Cast: Keir Gilchrist as Craig
Emma Roberts as Noelle
Zach Galifianakis as Bobby

*The following may contain spoilers*

Overview
Every single one of us has thought of running away. There comes a point when the burdens of life are too heavy to bear any longer and we imagine what it would be like to just run away and leave it all behind. This same fantasy plagued the mind of Craig, a teenage boy whose dreams of escape manifested into slightly over-dramatized thoughts of suicide. Instead of killing himself, however, he runs away. Convinced that he his mentally unstable, Craig checks himself into a mental hospital, planning to leave the next morning in time for school. Instead, he is asked to spend a week in the hospital to see if it helps. The next five days help Craig discover that his world isn't as crazy as he thinks.

Positive Attributes
The film shows the patients as human beings, not a bunch of weirdos that need to be locked up. Craig interacts with them, becomes their friend and learns from them. In this way, Funny Story seems to break the somewhat standard stereotype that those with mental illnesses are different and shows them as the lovable people they are.
Craig befriends a patient named Bobby, a sweet man who is suicidal like Craig. Despite being different, Bobby embraces who he is, despite what others, including his wife, say about him. Bobby does his best to maintain a steady relationship with his young daughter and it's obvious that he cares for her.
Craig also begins to hang out with a young girl named Noelle. Sweet and mysterious, Craig and Noelle are instantly attracted to each other and are used to display the simple, sweet and naivety that is love. They spend their first couple "dates" in the hospital, drawing and spending time with the other patients.
Craig has several friends who try to make fun of him for being where he is and the other patients as well but Craig stands up for the others.
Despite feeling upset about spending a week in the hospital, Craig opens up and learns and grows from the experience.

Negative Attributes
Craig harbors a crush on his best friends girlfriend, Nia for the first part of the movie. He tries to juggle his feelings for her and Noelle, but fails when Nia comes to the hospital and makes a move. The two are shown kissing and falling onto Craig's bed before they are interrupted. Nia leaves and Craig shouts that he loves her. The next day, he's in love with Noelle. (Fickle, much?)
Due to the crush element, Craig imagines Nia in a tub and we see her bare leg. She also wears low-cut tops throughout the film.
Craig and Noelle are showing kissing in a picture-like freeze frame.
Craig suffers from nervous vomiting which is shown twice on screen.
Footage is shown at the beginning of the film of Craig climbing out onto a bridge and preparing to jump, before his parents stop him. Noelle admits to having an addiction to cutting, with several scars on her arms and face. She never says how she got them.
Multiple uses of the s-word, as well as a picture of Noelle holding up her middle finger. Craigs friends briefly talk about drinking and doing drugs.

Summary
Funny Story is an all-around fantastic movie. I honestly cannot describe in words why exactly I like this movie so much. It could be the beauty it finds in every little thing or the majesty of Zach Galifianakis playing basketball. Either way, Funny Story has an overwhelming charm that will touch your heart.

Personal Rating: 9 out of 10
Plot: 8
Sexuality/Sensuality: 2
Spiritual Aspects: 0
Drugs/Alchohol: 2