Don’t Think Twice (2016)

Something wonderful happened to me while watching this film. Due to not being a huge fan of Improv in general, I found myself skeptical and uneasy in the film’s first act. I found the characters somewhat annoying and struggled to connect to their world. The film, although neither documentary nor mockumentary, has the feeling of a doco-comedy early on. But if you think that is all this film is about, as I did, you’re in for a surprise. As the story advanced into the second and then to its final act, I found myself completely invested and engrossed in these characters and what happens to them. Even though I showed resistance, I became sympathetic of their situations and deeply cared about how they fared even beyond the film. It was a wonderful feeling.

Don’t Think Twice is a precise take on the Improv and stage comedy world. Actor-Director Mike Birbiglia (Sleepwalk with Me) both mercilessly cuts to the chase in some scenes and is wonderfully sensitive in others, making this film a very realistic affair. Here he expertly plays Miles, the somewhat older mentor of an Imporv group called “The Commune”, where he performs with past students who have become his peers. Birbiglia, as well as the rest of this fantastic ensemble cast, take on their role with vigor and complete commitment to their characters. Gillian Jacobs (Britta in Community) again proves to be an underrated performer with considerable acting chops as Sam. Keegan-Michael Key (Key and Peele) shows that his acting abilities stretch far beyond just being a very funny man. Kate Micucci (Scrubs, Raising Hope, The Big Bang Theory) as Allison, Tami Sagher (Inside Amy Schumer) as Lindsay and Chris Gethard (Broad City, Inside Amy Schumer) as Bill round out the “The Commune” family, all doing a wonderfully deep job in this little gem. There are also small supporting roles from Richard Kline (whom some of us old enough should remember as Larry Dallas fromThree’s Company), Richard Masur and Adam Pally, as well as cameos from Lena Denham and Ben Stiller.

I was most impressed by how insightful, genuine, compassionate, intimate and intelligent this film is. There is a patience that is exercised here by Bribiglia as director, which requires equal patience from the viewer, but pays dividends many times over by the time the film ended and somehow left me wanting more.

This touching and at times hilarious film delves into many subjects such as growing up, family, success in its many forms, chasing your dreams, trust and betrayal, but most of all this is a film about friendship. Wonderful and precise. 8/10.