Don’t Think Twice

Bantucinema
Don’t Think Twice 7.5/10
Released: July 22, 2016
By William Rivers

“Hilariously absurd; Touchingly human.”

Don’t Think Twice is a film about people. It epitomizes what friendship is, in a way that doesn’t sugar coat the hard times, nor stifle the easy ones. The film stars Mike Birbiglia (Miles), Gilian Jacobs (Samantha), Kate Micucci (Allison), Tami Sagher (Lindsay), and Keegan-Michael Key (Jack) as a tightly-knit improv team on the verge of losing their beloved theater due to lack of funds. Throughout the course of the film we see the struggles that they face when Jack moves on to become a cast member on an SNL-type show called Weekend Live. As they all forge the paths toward the rest of their lives, they begin to discover things about themselves in a way that we can all deeply relate to in one way or another.

The cast here is one of great chemistry. You really feel like these people are all friends and have been for many years. These are the unbreakable theater kids you knew or were one of in high-school, still following their dreams as best as they can. Their joint sense of humor is one that is remarkably refreshing, because it shines no matter what is going on in the film. Even during the worst of times, they are friends and they use their tried and true tactics to cheer each other up in a way that is often a bit confusing to the audience. This is by no means a criticism though. We all have those jokes that can only be told in a certain company. We all have those weird quirks that only come out when we are among our closest friends. Whether it’s sarcastic fun making or morbid jokes at the most inappropriate of times, it is clear that the writer here understands people and knows how to display to the audience a deeply believable bunch of companions.

Individually, the actors’ performances are good but not great. At times they seem to be a bit too awkward in a way that makes them seem like they are trying too hard to be dramatic. I know that these are very good actors, but at times it is clear that their hilarious television personas and the people they become on stage are the real stars here. Drama isn’t really their strongest suit, but when the film needs to grab you by the heart, it does so with masterful skill. Again, I chalk that up to the chemistry between the members of the group. Improv, as they explain, is not about one performer, it is about the entire team. The film itself and its characters display this truth very well and as a result, you are rarely too thrown by any cheesy lines or odd reactions.

I would definitely recommend this film to anyone who is or has been interested in stage performing. It is something that is heavily relatable and touching. All of that is supported brilliantly by the cinematography. Mike Birdiglia is the writer and director, and it shows. He makes very good use of the wide angle shots and the whole film in general really feels like a single vision, unlike many films that have a bunch of different people behind the camera. It all culminates in a glorious whole that makes you think about your own life and put yourself in the shoes of these characters. The road ahead is scary at times, and this movie doesn’t cover that truth up. It displays it with clarity and realism, but reminds us to take a break from the chaos every now and then, and just have a good laugh.