"It's Kind of a Funny Story" is Kind of a Funny Story

“It’s Kind of a Funny Story” is about a 16-year-old boy named Craig, played by Keir Gilchrist, who is unhappy with his life and is admitted to a psychiatric hospital, where he tells the doctors that he wants to commit suicide.

Adapted from Ned Vazzini’s novel, the movie follows the book closely. Craig is admitted to an adult psychiatric hospital because the children’s is being remolded.
It is here that Craig meets Bobby, played by “The Hangover’s” Zack Galifianakis, a comedic genius who steals every scene he is in. But the role is a departure from typical roles, such as “The Hangover” and his role in the HBO series “Bored to Death.” He still has his moments of insane goofiness, but he is playing more of a sad role this time around, and he really knows when to dial down his performance.
Bobby becomes a sort of uncle-like figure to Craig while hospitalized, and through his crazy ideologies, his outlook on life and his huge heart, despite being severely depressed, he connects with Craig.

The movie touches on social issues with today’s children. When students find out that Craig is in a psych ward, he becomes one of the most popular kids at school and everyone, including those who would never acknowledged him, want to befriend him.
Emma Roberts is Noelle, a fellow patient, and a survivor of self-cutting, who becomes Craig’s love interst.

Roberts stretches her work as an actress, and she shows depth hidden behind witty one-lines. She provides laughs, but also provides an emotional connection with the character.

Craig, before self-admission to the hospital, was dating Nia, played by Zoe Kravits. She was the girl Craig always longed for but never truly meshed with.
Noelle is a better personality match for the lonely, unhappy Craig. She listens to him more inventively and cares about what he has to say, something lacking in the relationship with Nia.

The rest of the supporting cast, including Jim Gaffigan, Lauren Graham, Viola Davis and Bernard White, do a good job of keeping the humor subtle but constant.

Gaffigan and Graham play Craig’s parents. They both show concern for their son, but want to keep him in the hospital. Gaffigan provides plenty of laughs with his usual dry, laid back comedy.

This film is the third from the filmmaking duo of Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden. Their previous two films, “Half-Nelson” and “Sugar” which, like this movie, were two independent movies dealing with issues not normally dealt with in your typical movie. For this reason, the movie earns its rewards.

It is nowhere near the caliber of their first two films, but it is still a solid movie with plenty of laughs, despite the basic premise and overly cheerful ending.