It's Kind of a Funny Story is more a dramatic story than funny

It's Kind of a Funny Story is a new indie film coming to limited release based on the novel of the same name. Funny Story (which it will be called for this rest of this review) tells the story of a teenaged boy who checks himself into a psychiatric hospital because of depression. Based on the inspired story of the novel's author Ned Vizzini who himself seeked medical help for teenaged depression.

Funny Story stars Keir Gilchrist as Craig, the narrator of the story and the depressed boy. Keir must like stories of mental problems because he also stars in Showtimes United States of Tara. After dreaming of jumping off a bridge over and over again, Craig's dream changes and he knows he needs help before its too late. He sees a doctor and gets himself checked in and doesn't yet realize he can't leave whenever he wants.

Enter the incredibly handsome Zach Galifianakis. The Hangover star is everywhere today and this role is yes comedic, but also a departure for Zach G. At first Craig thinks Galifianakis's Bobby is a doctor (because he is wearing scrubs), but soon realizes he's really a patient in the psych ward. Zach G, known more for stand up and physical comedy, plays a lovable goof with a heart of gold who wants nothing more than to get into an assisted living house so he can see his daughter. Bobby takes Craig under his wing and introduces him to the others in the ward and what he can and can't do while there.

The hospital is going through renovations so both kids and adults are mixed into one ward and Craig catches the eye of another teenager named Noelle played by Emma Roberts (Nancy Drew, Hotel for Dogs and Julia Roberts' niece). With random mental health problems thrown about, each character seems to suffer from something different which does add a good few laughs based on their issues.

The week brings high and lows, break throughs and rejection. You grow to like some characters and hope things go well and the predictable love story between Craig and Noelle has an interesting story line, but for some reason the film disappoints. Comedian Jim Gaffigan (playing Craig's dad) is completely under used in yet another film. And Gilmore Girls' Lauren Graham (Craig's mom) seems like she's in the film as a favor. Both people should have had a bigger role in the film because both are very funny people. Gaffigan gets a few laughs in the scenes he is in, but his role could have been played by anyone and not by one of the biggest stand ups going.

Stylistically the film isn't for everyone. Co-directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck (don't worry you probably don't know who they are either), the film cuts into dream sequences and animation that almost seem more silly than funny and not the good kind of silly like in Family Guy. Some people will like the style, others definitely won't.

Galifianakis is the saving grace in the film. The loving father figure Craig needs in his life, Zach shines in a film that should help him gain other projects than raunchy humor (although he's great at that so don't pull out of The Hangover 2 Zach). Anyone who dismisses Galifianakis as a one trick pony will be surprised at his performance in Funny Story. Hopefully he will no longer be typecasted as the funny side kick ala Jack Black and can get some different type roles in between films like Due Date (which looks tremendous) and the previously mentioned Hangover 2.

Overall there are better movies than It's Kind of a Funny Story, but there are also a lot worse. The trailers and commercials make it seem like a knock down comedy, but the tone is more dramatic. Don't go thinking you will laugh the entire film, but the characters are enjoyable enough and for this time of year in the cinema, there probaby won't be much better to pick from.