Sleepwalk With Me

Written and Directed by Mike Birbiglia

90 minutes, 2012

Was this a vanity project memoir, or a prolonged stand up comedy routine, or a precursor of great things to come?  I don’t know.  It was thoroughly enjoyable at the time of watching and completely forgettable an hour later.  On a second viewing days later, it was irritating.  Not the whole film, just the character of Matt.   Abby was terrific and the only fully developed character.  She had a vibrant presence and Matt was… I don’t what Matt was.

“I’m not saying I want to get married tomorrow, but I think it’s very weird that I spend all my time with someone who can’t even imagine the possibility,” says Abby.

Catalyst:  Matt and Abby move in together.

Turning point: Matt gets first job at some college.

Act II consists pretty much of Matt on the road, developing his career.

He meets a sage, the older comedian who gives him advice that changes his life.  Abbey develops into an object of Matt’s disdain and unhappiness.

Turning point:  Matt sleeps with waitress, realizes he shouldn’t get married but doesn’t tell Abbey.

Matt’s parents are one-dimensional.  Father is always angry.  Mother is always nutty.  They never change.  Matt never changes. Matt’s parents are one-dimensional characters and are the brunt of jokes.  Everyone in Matt’s life turns into punch lines for Matt.

Conclusion:  Matt jumps out of a window in a sleepwalking event and decides he better get some help or something.

Resolution:  “I don’t think we should get married”, says Matt.

                     “You’re right,” says Abby.

                     “How long have you felt like that?”, says Matt.   Abby doesn’t answer.

Fade out, the end.