I Used to Be Funny
| I Used to Be Funny | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Ally Pankiw |
| Written by | Ally Pankiw |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Nina Djacic |
| Edited by | Curt Lobb |
| Music by | Aimee Bessada |
Production company | Barn 12 |
| Distributed by | Levelfilm |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 105 minutes |
| Country | Canada |
| Language | English |
I Used to Be Funny is a 2023 Canadian comedy-drama film written and directed by Ally Pankiw.[1] The film stars Rachel Sennott as Sam, a stand-up comedian living in Toronto who is struggling with depression that has impacted her career after Brooke (Olga Petsa), a young girl for whom she previously served as a nanny, goes missing.[2]
The cast also includes Sabrina Jalees and Caleb Hearon as Sam's fellow comedians and roommates Paige and Philip, and Jason Jones and Dani Kind as Brooke's parents Cameron and Jill, as well as Ennis Esmer, Dan Beirne, Stephen Alexander, Hoodo Hersi and Miguel Rivas in supporting roles.
Release[edit]
I Used to Be Funny premiered at the South by Southwest festival on March 13, 2023,[1] distributed by Levelfilm in Canada.[3] It later screened at the Inside Out Film and Video Festival in May.[2] That August, Utopia acquired distribution rights in the United States.[4] At the 2023 Woodstock Film Festival, it screened on September 28 and October 1.[5][6]
The film is scheduled to be released on digital formats on June 18, 2024.[7]
Reception[edit]
Critical response[edit]
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 88% of 17 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.3/10.[8]
Jason Bailey of The Playlist wrote that "the flashbacks are reasonably well-integrated, though it takes a few scenes to hook into what they're doing and where we are, and some of the stylistic devices to signal them are a little shopworn (there are copious echoing voices haunting the soundtrack). But the construction isn't entirely effective. It ends up unwinding like a thriller, carefully hiding not a killer, but a secret, a device that borders on deception and tips into that territory — particularly near the end, when the details they've been withholding are released as easy exposition dumps in flat, pro forma courtroom scenes."[1]
For Exclaim!, Rachel Ho rated the film 7/10, writing that "Pankiw's use of mystery and thriller to build compelling tension shows a remarkable command over the tone of her film, particularly impressive in a first feature. Her confidence is evident as she reroutes and backtracks the story, going from point B to point A without losing focus."[2]
Jake Kring-Schreifels of The Film Stage graded the film a B, writing that "to her screenplay's credit, Pankiw manages to avoid a full-on mystery. The worry in these kinds of movies is that the effort to obfuscate and hint at the heart of the problem doesn't pay off. But the reveal here is thoughtfully constructed (a courtroom scene shows the humiliating way jokes can be taken out of context to serve a prosecutor's favor) and further clarifies Brooke's decision to abandon her family. "Don't think about Euphoria," Phillip tells Sam before she begins a feverish, final hunt for Brooke. It's a humorous touch to this contemporary story about reconciling the past by taking control of the present, and using your gifts to get you out of the dark."[9]
Peter Sobczynski of The Spool was more negative, writing that "Ultimately, I Used to Be Funny proves to be as aimless as its heroine, though nowhere near as interesting. It has ambitions, I suppose, but it doesn't know how to execute them. As a result, the feature kind of stumbles around before arriving at a finale nowhere near as cathartic as it would like. That said, Sennott is very good here. I cannot quite recommend that you see it. Still, hopefully, someone out there will catch her work here, realize her versatility, and give her a role in a project more deserving of her talents."[10]
Awards and nominations[edit]
| Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Subject | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inside Out 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival Awards | June 2023 | Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature | I Used to Be Funny | Won | [11] |
References[edit]
- ^ a b c Jason Bailey, "‘I Used To Be Funny’ Review: Rachel Sennott Shines In A Narratively Tricky Seriocomic Drama (SXSW)" Archived 2023-03-21 at the Wayback Machine. The Playlist, March 14, 2023.
- ^ a b c Rachel Ho, "Inside Out 2023: 'I Used to Be Funny' Signals the Arrival of Canada's Next Filmmaker to Watch" Archived 2023-06-09 at the Wayback Machine. Exclaim!, May 31, 2023.
- ^ Dillon, Mark (March 8, 2023). "I Used to Be Funny looks to kill at SXSW". Playback. Brunico Communications. Archived from the original on March 29, 2023. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
- ^ Galuppo, Mia (August 10, 2023). "Rachel Sennott-Starrer 'I Used to Be Funny' Lands at Utopia (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Eldridge Industries. Archived from the original on August 10, 2023. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
- ^ "I Used to Be Funny | 24th Annual Woodstock Film Festival". Woodstock Film Festival. Archived from the original on September 19, 2023. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
- ^ Morfoot, Addie (August 29, 2023). "Woodstock Film Festival Kicks Off With 'Fair Play,' Will Honor James Ivory (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on August 29, 2023. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
- ^ Bergeson, Samantha (April 11, 2024). "I Used to Be Funny Trailer: Rachel Sennott Is an Aspiring Stand-Up Comedian Grappling with Grief". IndieWire. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
- ^ "I Used to Be Funny". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
- ^ Jake Kring-Schreifels, "SXSW Review: Rachel Sennott Shows Her Range in I Used to Be Funny" Archived 2023-06-09 at the Wayback Machine. The Film Stage, March 22, 2023.
- ^ Peter Sobczynski, "SXSW 2023: I Used To Be Funny" Archived 2023-06-09 at the Wayback Machine. The Spool, March 22, 2023.
- ^ Complex, Valerie (June 6, 2023). "InsideOut 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival Announces 2023 Award Winners". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on June 7, 2023. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
