It’s Kind Of A Funny Story is a new film due for release in the US on 28th September based on a novel by American author Ned Vizzini. It follows a depressed teenager who becomes suicidal and checks himself into a psychiatric hospital. The book was inspired by Vizzini’s own brief hospitalization for depression in November 2004. The soundtrack for the film includes Broken Social Scene, White Hinterland (download below), Pink Mountaintops, Rachid Taha and more. Like the novel it is expected to strike a chord with young adults.
Vizzini made a few changes to fictionalize his own story and stated it is about about 85% true. He makes the main character 15 years old and adds a love triangle. In reality; Vizzini was in his early 20’s and writing his second novel Be More Chill, the pressures of which led to him admitting himself to hospital. He did not meet anyone, romantically speaking, during his stay. However, those people he did meet, did help inspire the characters he portrays in his book and the film.
Brief Plot (no spoilers):
Craig Gilner (Keir Gilchrist) has some issues to deal with, all part of being a teenager…before his family awake for another “normal” day, he ends up cycling to Argenon Hospital mental health clinic to check himself in.
Unfortunately for him, or not as the case me be, the young persons ward is closed so he gets lumped in with the adults. He is soon taken under the wing of Bobby, a patient…and in due course a young 16 year old Noelle (Emma Roberts) enters the scene and romance ensues. As Craig has to stay for a minimum of five days there is plenty of time for drama and comedy.
I couldn’t see any information for a UK release date but based on the authors input and the trailer and interviews below it’s one I want to watch.
Soundtrack:
Broken Social Scene: “Not at My Best”
The Damned: “Smash It Up”
The Wowz: “Happy Today”
MP3: White Hinterland: “Icarus”
Elden Calder: “Where You Go”
Mayer Hawthorne: “The Ills”
Method Man and Redman: “Da Rockwilder”
Pink Mountaintops: “Tourist in Your Town”
Maxence Cyrin: “Where Is My Mind”
The Middle East: “Blood”
Little Denise: “Check Me Out”
Rachid Taha: “Habina”
Broken Social Scene: “Major Label Debut (Fast)”
Broken Social Scene: “Sweet Number One
Buy the book: It’s Kind of a Funny Story