Movie #1340 "Don't Think Twice" -- so now I am in the judging mode for a few months, judging films for the Naperville Film Festival, so that means I see less of the commercial/redbox/netflix offerings for a while, but redbox had this one (so does netflix), and I just had to make time to watch it, and I'm glad I did. In fact, I set it out for Dave to see before I returned it because I thought he'd like it , too, and he did! Maybe it's because we value improvisation, and the people who are able to do it so well --- that's the subject matter of this indie film. It goes through the three basic rules of improv: 1) yes and 2) it's all about the group (and not you!) 3) Don't think (thus the title), and it poses this conflict: a group of 5 improvers (who call themselves the "Commune" deal with one of them (Key) who tries out for Weekend Live (like SNL) and makes it ----- now what? When everything they do depends on the group, first of all the group suffers his absence. Then, when he comes back occasionally to perform with the group, audience members want to see what he has done on the t.v. show. Another issue that pops up is his dealing with his fame --- he wants to help them get more writing jobs, too, but he has trouble from SNL group and his group in doing that. He dates one of the members of the Commune so he is constantly leaving her to work on the show endlessly --- Overall, the great opportunity he got to be on a t.v. show --- a dream of most improvers --- doesn't seem to be the gift he really wanted because it so adversely affects his improv group. I found it all fascinating , and I also enjoyed watching all that entails being in a group such as this: How much you depend on the others in the group --- the trust is amazing --- and the creativity to keep going no matter what the audience or the other group members throw at you --- and to be able to do that even though you bring problems (one of the guys has a dad who is dying) or petty squabbles in the group (the boyfriend/girlfriend problems) or just not "on your game" that evening. It sure made me value that part of theatre by giving me some insight on all that is involved on a daily basis. It may sound like it is on a specific world (of improv), but what they go through is terribly universal to any set group. And it is driven by a talented group of people, "featuring as many poignant moments as genuine laugh lines" (so says IMDB) Mike B wrote the screenplay, and this is the second film I have enjoyed that he has done. Thumbs up for this one --- 4 out of 5 stars! And Bring on more , Mike!
P.S. I was most impressed with Gillian Jacobs (from tv show "Community), and after researching, I found out she is the one in the cast who never did Improv (like this)before ---- the cast evidently as a group prepped for 2 weeks before giving performances in front of audiences, and the performances for the audiences were what was put into the film.
"DON'T THINK TWICE" 1 HOUR, 32 mins 2016 R-rated
After years of treading the boards together, improv troupe the Commune has yet to gain much recognition for its satirical skills. When a member of the group lands a plum TV job, the news creates tumult among those left behind.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment