Bill C’s Review – 3.5 out of 5
‘Sleepwalk With Me’ stars Mike Birbiglia in this semi-autobiographical movie based on his stage play of the same name. Birbiglia is a stand up comedian and the movie focuses on his relationship with his girlfriend as he struggles to find his voice voice/success as a standup while trying to ignore his very real sleepwalking problem.
I liked this movie a lot. It is consistently funny. Unlike Celeste and Jess Forever. I cared more about what happened to the couple as Mike became consumed with starting his comedic career by going on the road and let the pressures of his relationship and burgeoning comedic career exacerbate his sleepwaling.
I like the performances. Birbiglia is likeable and I liked Lauren Ambrose as his love interest. Carol Kane was good as his mother and the cast also included numerous cameos by comedians..
Admittedly I was also pre-disposed to like this movie as I am an avid listener of WTF podcasts with Marc Maron which focuses on comedians (he has a cameo). Birbiglia has been his guest and many episodes deal with comedians and their early career struggles. Check out the podcasts and check out the movie.
Bill I’s Review – 3 out of 5
I found it funny, pleasant, but not exceptional. It was akin to a good TV episode, in fact, this would probably be a good weekly show, following the aspiring comedian hitting the road while trying to maintain some kind of personal relationship. Kind of the anti-Sienfeld, but hopefully very funny as well. There’s not much to laugh out loud in this film, other than a couple of Biriglia’s on stage jokes.
I was going to skip this based on some fans’ reviews I read, which said it wasn’t funny, but I trust you more, will check it out.
I am not really a big stand-up comedy fan but I also liked this movie. Terry Gross had a good interview with Mike Birbiglia and Ira Glass on Fresh Air: http://www.npr.org/2012/08/20/159272158/mike-birbiglia-sleepwalk-ing-on-the-big-screen