Directors: Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck

Synopsis: A clinically depressed teenager gets a new start after he checks himself into an adult psychiatric ward.

I like to think of myself as a fan of indie films, and this is a typical indie film. Awkwardly shy teenager, check! Cool indie music, check! Un-clichéd moments, check!

The above however doesn’t mean the film itself is a standard formula for a hit.

The story is interesting and insightful of the young generation, and the way its shown on screen is different to mainstream movies. It has a mixture of animation, which is a delightful distraction, because the film does tend to drag through the middle. There are rambling storytelling, which is all over the place, but it all comes together in the last third.

The lead actor Keir Gilchrist is fascinating in the role even though he tends to lack some charisma to keep you engrossed in the story. Zach Galifianakis and Emma Roberts however do add a entertaining dimension, as well as the small parts played in the psyche ward, which are fun to watch.

I haven’t seen anything from the director’s before so it’s difficult to judge their style and approach to making films. So it is hard to judge them on this film alone.

Overall the film plays with some captivating themes, and shows the problems the 21st century generation are going through. The story lacks some direction and goes off focus a little bit, but on a whole it comes together.

Watch if you want to see something different, with decent music and a decent story.

Decent film

6.5/10

Muni