It's Kind of a Funny Story Movie Review (My reaction)

     The first thing that pops in my mind when I see the word metal institution, I think of a place filled with a bunch of crazy and loud people. But that's not that image that I had in my mind during the movie. Mr. Scott did mentioned that, "It is overseen not by a tyrannical Nurse Ratched, but by the wise and patient Dr. Minerva, played with a benevolent glow by Viola Davis." (Scott A. O). I wasn't a big fan of the nurse because she just totally ignored Craig during a crucial moment. That made me think to myself real quick, if they're going to place Craig in a place where it's going to be hectic. But when Dr. Minerva appeared, I was reassured that everything is going to be fine. I also strongly agree with the the critic when he stated, "Temperamentally disinclined to be melodramatic, Craig is bothered by some of the usual stressed of modern adolescence." (Scott A. O). I agree with his statement because there are copious of teenagers that stresses over similar things as Craig did. School, relationships, family, all plays a huge role in everyone's life. It is also why there are many teenagers become so easily stressed about it, which leads to depression, which could also lead to suicide. What Craig did was a fantastic thing and people who shares similar problems with him could really see this movie as a message. Instead of committing suicide, he signed up to stay in a program that could help him feel better about himself. I would also agree with Mr. Scott that Craig's stay at the hospital can be used as a positive message to anyone out there, that's having a tough time. He wrote that, "His trip is partly a vacation and partly a coming-of-age quest, during which he meets some interesting people and learns a thing or two about why life is worth living." (Scott A. O). Lastly, I would have to say that this movie can be categorized as a coming-of-age movie but it's a different version of it. Even if it's not the average coming-of-age movie, it's still a pleasant movie and I would highly recommend anyone that's 13+ to watch it.

Scott, A. O. "A Coming-of-Age Tale, Set Among the Sad." The New York Times Company: 2011. 7 Oct. 2010.

http://movies.nytimes.com/2010/10/08/movies/08funny.html

It's Kind of a Funny Story Movie Review (My version)

     I really enjoyed reading the book but watching the movie was pretty amusing as well. I really liked the movie but it was a tad unusual at first. I wasn't expecting Craig to check himself in the hospital that quickly in the movie, so that was definitely a surprise in the beginning. In my opinion, the director could have added a few scenes before to give the viewers (mainly those who haven't read the book yet) a better understanding on why Craig wanted to commit suicide in the first place. But I have to admit, the beginning of the movie really had some suspension which isn't bad. I really appreciate the usage of a long shot when Craig was riding his to the bridge to almost commit suicide AND to the hospital to check himself in. By using a long shot, it really made me focus on the location that Craig is in and I think it's quite important because it shows that from the beginning, Craig is strong enough to not kill himself and do the right thing. There were also a few medium shots when Craig and Bobby spend time together because I could recognized their interaction between each other. Another relationship would be Craig and Noelle and the very first time they talked to each other was when they sat down and played a question game. That scene was an over the shoulder shot because they were communicating face-to-face, so the camera switches from Craig's to Noelle's point of view. That way, we could pay attention to one actor/actress at a time. There were a close-up shot of Craig when he was talking to Dr. Minerva (a.k.a. her therapist) because I could see that he's thinking of a whole bunch of things but he's holding it all back. Sometimes, he would even sweat, just like in the story. Lastly, I think it's nice that the director cut out some of the not as necessary parts of the story and just put all of the crucial (and funny) parts into the movie. Overall, I enjoyed watching the movie and I would definitely recommend anyone ages 13+ to watch this because it talks about a serious medical problem that many of us can relate to but it has a twist to it. Comedy was involved and I really, really liked that about the movie and the book, itself.

It's Kind of a Funny Story P. 297-444 (End)

Summary: 

Part 7: Six North, Monday

Monday came and all Craig thought about was school. Craig decided to listen to his phone messages and returned a few. But then his principle called him, Craig quickly hanged out because he panicked. He was worried that just because he was depressed and is currently in a hospital, that the principle was going to expel him. After he hanged up on his principle, Dr. Minerva came by to talk to Craig. Craig just told her what happened, how he ended up there and how he's doing better in there then in the outside world. After their talk, Dr. Minerva made Craig call back his principle and turns out, he wasn't going to get expel or anything. His principle just wanted to let Craig know that the school supports him and is waiting for his return. 

Part 8: Six North, Tuesday

Craig is drawing more and more maps of different things to pass by time and to help himself feel better. A copious amount of people there really enjoyed his paintings as well. Even a guitarist liked his painting and was willing to buy some of it, after he gets out of the hospital. Craig was speechless but not as speechless when he saw that he had a visitor. It was Nia. Nia came to talk to Craig about her situation with Aaron, break-ups, and depression. Not too long after their talk, Craig and Nia went to his room to make out. But Muqtada (Craig's roommate) barged in and told Nia to leave. Noelle witnessed it all, yet she still went to their "second date". There, Craig finally expressed how he felt about Noelle and turns out, she likes him too.

Part 9: Six North, Wednesday

Dr. Minerva visited Craig for another talking session. This specific session really opened Craig's eyes. It made him realize that school was the main reason why his life went down-hill. His life was perfectly normal but it all changed once he entered high school. After all of his tentacles (his problems), he finally found an anchor (a solution), and that's his artwork. He loved drawing maps ever since he was four years old. Right there and then was when Craig decided that he's going to transfer out of the Executive Pre-Professional High School and into a different school, a school for art. A few last things that Craig had to do before he left was draw maps for everyone, help Muqtada, and make out with Noelle. After doing everything of his list, he felt the happiest he has ever been.

Part 10: Six North, Thursday

Last day at the hospital. Everyone had their own farewell for Craig and the very last person to say good-bye was actually Muqtada. Muqtada has really appreciate all the help from Craig and Craig wishes him tons of luck in the future. Just as when Craig's parents' about to leave, Craig stopped and told them to go home first, he'll walk. During his walk, he thought about how his actual problems hasn't gone yet, it's still there. But instead of it being an option, it is now a possibility, an unlikely possibility. He doesn't want to die nor think anymore. All he wants is to do and live.

Quote: 

"So now live for real, Craig. Live. Live. Live. Live. Live." (Vizzini 444).

Reaction: 

Perfect way to end the story. I really like this quote because it's an excellent advice that no matter what problems you might face during your lifetime, all you just have to do is hope for the best and continue to live your life. Craig has changed since the beginning of the story but there's still thoughts that the old Craig had deep inside of him. He just changed his perspective of life. No more worries, no more pressures, no more tentacles. All he wants to do is to live, hence the repetition of "Live." in the last few sentences of the book. After reading this book (and the very last page again), it really help me not think so much about all the negatives things. In fact, it made me think about the positive things that could happen, and it gives me hope. :)