Film discussion: Don’t Think Twice

October 31, 2016
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But these days, comedians not only sell out clubs and larger venues (like The Music Hall), they can actually perform in stadiums! One comedian, one stadium.

But Tuesday’s movie, Don’t Think Twice, is a tribute to the special work of improvisational comedy workers, the make-it-up-as-you-go-along specialists who work without a net (or a script). Groups like Second City in Chicago and Second City Television in Toronto have been a rich source of comic talent over the years, developing talents who sometimes break national via graduation to Saturday Night Live.

Maybe I should have issued a spoiler alert before that last paragraph, because that’s essentially the plot of Don’t Think Twice, a film written and directed by comedian Mike Berbiglia. With a cast led by Keegan-Michael Key and Berbiglia himself, the movie is a loving picture of an eccentric group of comics who labor in obscurity, supporting themselves with crappy real-world jobs while pursuing mastery of the comedic art of always saying, “Yes, and …” instead of “Yes, but …” or (even worse) “No …” And everyone is happily broke until one of them gets a call from that big Saturday night television comedy show. (You know the one I mean.)

At that point, some of the tensions, rivalries, envy, and ambitions that were held in check by the troupe-members’ mutual impoverishment come rising to the surface like a tongue of newt in a witch’s brew.

Critics love Berbiglia’s portrait of this troupe of dedicated strivers. Berbiglia’s fondness comes through even as the one-for-all spirit hits an every-man-for-himself pothole.

It should be funny. It should be fun. You should come to The Music Hall’s Historic Theater at 7:00 and we will talk about it afterward. I hope to see you there.

And for the rest of our action-packed November, we have a chance to see a restored print of the classic Howard’s End on next Tuesday (November 8). Then comes the Tom Hanks movie you should have seen, which is Sully on November 15. Then, after a Thanksgiving break, we will be watching Cameraperson on November 29. This is a nourishing month!