Stand-up comedian Sam struggles with PTSD, and considers joining the search for a missing teenage girl she used to nanny.
I Used To Be Funny is directed by Ally Pankiw which is her directorial debut.
If there's one film so far this year that I really wish had more attention it would be I Used To Be Funny a film where on the surface it does look like it would be your usual indie film that combines drama and comedy together. But when you actually sit down and watch it…the film's drama is far more heavier than you would have thought.
Rachel Sennott once again knocks it out of the park, this film only shows that she has even more range as an actress which always make her more exciting to see when she's on screen in a film. This is such an effective performance here especially when combined with the film's theme about PTSD, Rachel Sennott plays a comedian named Sam Cowell who is struggling with depression and has PTSD after a young girl named Brooke (played by Olga Pesta) who she used to be a nanny for goes missing.
As a character Sam is so beautifully written and really captures the struggles of depression and PTSD, she constantly blames herself for Brooke's disappearance and her breaking down is all the more gut punching and at times sort of hard to watch in a impactful way. She quits her career as a comedian which is something depression can really make you do, push the things you really enjoy doing most. It's such a grounded and respectful portrayal of depression that I can't help but respect this film. As I said earlier Rachel Sennott's performance only adds to this, she gives such a powerful performance that really shows she is one of the most exciting actresses working today.
The film is told through switching back in forth from the present where Sam Cowell is facing the aftermath of Brooke going missing and the past where we learn how Sam's relationship with Brook and her family deteriorates. A lot of films tend to struggle when it comes to switching to two different periods in time, but here it's done quite well and you can quite easily follow along. It's a beautifully put together story that really brings in many emotions into the mix, there's some comedic moments in the middle but you can tell Sam is even struggling then.
Overall I Used To Be Funny is a fantastic film that brings light to very heavy subject matter, the film does it in a way that's respectful and very honest. If you haven't seen this one yet I highly recommend checking this one out.
I Used To Be Funny is available on all VOD platforms.
9/10 A
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