Sleepwalk With Me Review

                      

           

 

            For those of you not familiar with the standup of Mike Birbiglia, it’s definitely worth checking out.  His act is living proof that some of the best comedy comes from real-life situations.  When he performs he evokes a sort of everyman quality that makes him rather likeable to the audience.  On a side note, during his performances I’ve always had the feeling that the person most surprised by Birbiglia’s success is Birbiglia himself.  If you are indeed one of those people that has not seen his standup, you don’t need to worry, because Sleepwalk with Me is more or less the same.

Sleepwalk with Me is based on Birbiglia’s critically-acclaimed one-man s Pa how of the same name that he wrote, starred and directed in.  Birbiglia’s character is named Matt ndamiglio but if you have ever seen him perform then it’s easy to tell that Birbiglia is basically playing himself.  The movie focuses on the life of a struggling comedian who tries to come to grips with his failing relationship, overbearing parents, and a career that appears to be going nowhere.  Unfortunately, he tries so hard to ignore these said issues, the pent-up stress manifests itself into an increasingly dangerous sleepwalking disorder that he also attempts to ignore. 

            Probably the best thing about this film is its self-awareness and brutal honesty.  As Birbiglia’s character narrates the story he knows that there will be many moments that will show him in a less-than-flattering light.  Such prime examples include beginning scenes by saying things like “I know.  I’m in the future too”, “What I should’ve said was…” and my personal favorite “Before I tell this part of the story I just want to remind you that you’re on my side.”        

Birbiglia never tries to glamorize the life of a standup comedian.  It’s an exhausting, low paying job that often requires him to drive several hours a day, practically every day just so he can talk on stage for a few minutes.  He’s forced to take a gig wherever he can get it because of the grim reality that in comedy, guys like him are pretty much a dime a dozen.  He becomes so desperate for work he takes a gigs he has no business doing.  His manager (who for some reason reminds me of Joey’s agent on Friends) books him on a job that barely covers what he spends on gas and then accepts another job that requires him to perform for half an hour even though he only has about ten minutes worth of material. 

The other notable problem about his job is that all his time on the road takes a serious toll on a relationship that was already having problems.  When his sister announces her engagement, his parents inevitably start asking when he and his girlfriend are going to get married.  By our narrator’s own admission, it’s a legitimate question considering they have been dating for about eight years, but sidesteps the issue and quickly tries to change the subject.  He doesn’t want to admit to his family, his girlfriend, or even himself that he doesn’t want to get married.  Deep down both he and his girlfriend seem to know their relationship is doomed to fail but neither one wants to admit it.  This is when the sleepwalking starts to become a serious problem.  At first he’s just yelling at a hamper thinking it’s a jackal but the longer he avoids the problem the worse the sleepwalking gets until he finally jumps out a second-story window while staying at a motel. 

The big problem with this movie is that Birbiglia’s problems with his career and his personal life never really blend together effectively.  When he’s on the road he’s able to forget his problems at home and when he’s at home he can forget about the problems with his career.  As a result, it often feels like I’m watching two separate movies. .  On one hand is a drama that realistically portrays the perks and pitfalls of a career in standup comedy.  On the other, you have a slightly dull romantic comedy about a couple whose relationship is slowly disintegrating like a tame version of Blue Valentine.  As result, the strength of which the first plot is written unintentionally highlights the weakness of the second.

Bottom line:  While the execution of Sleepwalk with Me isn’t perfect, Birbiglia’s script filled with unflinching honesty and self-deprecation make him endearing and likeable and by extension the movie itself.

Grade: B