Don’t Think Twice [Review by Haus]

Don’t Think Twice is a sweet, wistful and authentic little indie picture about the wind-down of a small New York improv group. If that sounds a little yawny, hear this: There hasn’t been a better film this year.

When it comes to the world of improvisational comedy, I’m just a shady little bit more acquainted than most. This is due in small part to my own brief tenure with a grad school improv troupe (I was about as good as that sounds) and in the main to my dear pal and everyone’s favorite absentee landlord, Parsi. Yes, our very own Lord du Nord, the Squire of Retire, our Tom Cruise of No Reviews, our audacious co-founder and not-arounder Parsi is in actual fact a regular improv player with two well-established Alaskan troupes: Urban Yeti Improv and Scared Scriptless. (Fun fact: I’m told the filmmakers contacted the latter, hoping to borrow their logo. I assume Parsi said no. Maybe he thought they were asking for REVIEWS? I’ll stop.)  They’re excellent, and and it’s a real treat to watch them perform–in 2011 Scared Scriptless generated what remains my favorite improv quip to date. (“Hey, you guys boneless? Want to make some money?” Of course, you had to be there.)

And that’s, in essence, the point. True improv has never translated particularly well to film, and Mike Birbiglia (who wrote, directed, and also stars) knows better than to try. Sure, there’s a couple of good sketches thrown in to get us in the mood and to educate the hooded hordes about the genre, but don’t go expecting laugh-a-minute improv. This is not a film about an act.

Instead, this is an ensemble film about a (by nature) almost fetishistically collective operation heaving and straining as its individual members vie for their own success, with varying results. What happens to these ooh-rah comedic musketeers when one of the troupe lands what they all dream of, a spot on (what’s clearly) Saturday Night Live? And that’s just the beginning. Friendships are tested, tough moments abound, humor is used as a defense (until it’s not), and we sympathize with each character in turn. It’s a behind the curtain peek and a great movie besides.

This film feels very real. They should mail it into space, so aliens can study our ways. (And then mail it back. I’d watch that copy.)

I won’t say much else here. I loved this movie. It’s at once a celebration of an art form, an study of struggling performers, and a thoughtful portrayal of the inevitable tensions of the fortunes we meet and the paths we take. It’s timely, honest, and heartfelt. The acting is terrific. This should win all the stuff, and you–well, you should go see it.

Haus Verdict: A movie about a small-time improv troupe that knocks it out of the park. Achingly honest, funny, wistful, and real. Don’t miss it. 

Don’t Think Twice opened July 22 in limited release. 

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