Funny Story is not in fact much of a funny story. It certainly dabbles in comedy, and is successful in those moments, but beneath this outer layer the film is a much more dramatic piece. Matthew Glave plays Walter, a former television star, famous for his role on a trashy day-time fantasy show. Having learned that his younger girlfriend is pregnant, he sets out to reconnect with his estranged daughter Nic (Jana Winternitz), in order to heal old wounds and tell her the news. As a favour, he agrees to drive Nic’s friend Kim (Emily Bett Rickards) to Big Sur where Nic is staying. Things get complicated from there, with each character harbouring secrets that are bound to burst out at the worst possible moment.

The stage is set for the film to tumble over into melodrama as on paper the set up seems a little clichéd and unrealistic. However, the script from Michael J. Gallagher and Steve Greene and a couple of exceptional acting performances from Glave and Rickards help ground the film in realism. The title may not quite match up with the content, but don’t let that put you off from seeing a wonderfully acted and affecting story.

Impressive Cinematography

One of the first things that is striking about the film is the cinematography. In San Diego the scenery is great, but when Walter and Kim hit the road the images really begin to sparkle. The hazy red neon of the bar where Walter sings karaoke is tantalising. Big Sur and the Topanga Canyon, where the film is mainly shot, are captured in all their immensity, whilst always keeping the focus on the three characters at the centre of the tale. The camera finds a gorgeous hopeful light amongst the woods, and later juxtaposes this with the painful washed out blue of the skyline. It can never be stated enough how much quality cinematography can impact the feel of a film, and Director of Photography Greg Cotten does a wonderful job providing the emotional colour palette for this film.

A Pair of Key Performances

Small budget independent productions like this often live or die by their lead actors’ performances. Tightly written scripts can be severely undercut by wooden acting in such works. Funny Story has no such problem, as both Glave and Rickards turn in some great work. Glave imbues Walter with the perfect balance of narcissism and kind-heartedness necessary for the role. Walter has made mistakes but he’s willing to own them, and maybe even come out the other side a better man. Glave is a master of subtle facial expressions, and he has fun with these conflicting emotions eating away at Walter.

Opposite him is Rickards, who is best known as Felicity Smoak in the long-running DC Comic’s show Arrow. In Funny Story, Rickards’ Kim has just lost her mother, and is suffering greatly at this new crossroads in her life. Rickards is a hurricane of emotion, sweeping under the film with her painful and touching performance and lifting it up. It’s a wonderful showcase for her talent.

The rest of the small cast are given less to do. In Big Sur we meet Winternitz’s Nic along with her group of close friends. Although the acting is solid all round, the runtime is so short, barely brushing 80 minutes, that there’s not much room in the film for them. When the film does give focus to these characters’ actions, it feels a little unnecessary to the main story. It is superfluous inflation in an otherwise streamlined movie. However for the most part, the focus does remain on Walter, Kim and Nic and this is where the movie excels.

A Director Finding His Voice

Funny Story is a great vehicle for the stars, but also for director Michael J. Gallagher. Having worked on less than impressive genre movies for the better part of a decade, Gallagher comes of age here with an accomplished piece of work. Alongside co-writer Steve Greene, he has managed to deliver a mature drama that is short, bittersweet and quite brilliant. There is a moment at the hour mark, with the secrets building up, that the wheels threaten to fall off. Gallagher though leads the film on, culminating in a quite devastating yet hopeful finale that feels like a fitting end. If Gallagher continues to craft sharp, smart films like Funny Story, he may build his own unique place in current American indie cinema.

Funny Story: Conclusion

The most impressive aspect of Funny Story is that it succeeds in every area. Quality and efficiency seep out of every pore of this indie treat. From the acting, to the directing to the script. It is a big ask to craft an affecting, thought-provoking movie in 80 minutes, but the whole crew has managed to do it here with Funny Story.

What are your favourite movies under 90 minutes? Let us know in the comments below.

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