Don't Think Twice may rank among the best films about the art of show business that I have ever seen. It's a damn accurate portrayal about what it's like to choose where you want to go and who you want to be, especially when you're not the only one being affected by that choice. The film is written and directed by the incredibly talented Mike Birbiglia, who is also one of the stars. His previous film, Sleepwalk With Me, an autobiographical account of his life based on his book, was lovely and incredible and one of my favorite films of 2012. Here, he strikes gold again, bringing together an amazing cast of comedians whose chemistry is palpable from the very first second. Before we even see the improv group that the film revolves around, we feel how much they care for another from the opening narration in which each one of them takes turns explaining the art of improv.
The group consists of Miles (Birbiglia,) Allison (Kate Micucci,) Lindsay (Tami Sagher,) Bill (Chris Gethard,) and couple Jack (Keegan-Michael Key) and Samantha (Gillian Jacobs.) These are people with work a minute jobs by day who come into their own at night when they perform as The Commune, a group of improv comedians who all share the spotlight. However, Jack gets an offer from a popular television show which ends up dragging the group down and tests his relationship with Samantha, who declined to audition for television out of fear.
Looking at the main actors in the film, anyone who knows anything about comedy can instantly recognize this is the ultimate group of current comedic heavyweights. Birbiglia, Micucci, Sagher, Gethard, Key and Jacobs are all wonderful comedians and watching them share the screen together is a dream come true. One of the big strengths of the film, however, is how their chemistry not only creates a lot of laughs but is also very touching. When the group goes through a tough time, you feel it just as much as they do. Birbiglia has done a great job of creating the sense that you are actually part of this group rather than an outside observer. When this group sits down in a bar and drinks together, you feel like you are sitting right in the middle of that booth. This is also due to the fact that the cast is so likable and charismatic and brimming with energy that you feel completely invested in every characters' struggles. When Miles is happy, you feel happy as well. When Bill is sad, you feel equally sad. When Lindsay is disappointed, by god do you feel disappointed right along with her. This may also be due to the fact that, as observed by Birbiglia himself (as said by Key initially,) the idea of Jack potentially betraying his group of comedy friends is very much what Key is going through now. Being one of the biggest stars on the planet, Key may have to start doing a lot of projects without his long time comedy partner, the equally funny and talented Jordan Peele.
The film also gets every aspect of show business right. I'm not deep in the show business world but I know how the machine works and Birbiglia nails what it's like. The ideas of deception, sticking together, falling apart and not knowing which route to take are very much huge aspects of show business. There's no phony sentimentality in these scenes..this stuff comes straight from the heart.
At only 90 minutes (including end credits,) Birbiglia has now made two films where my only complaint is one I rarely have---I wanted them to be longer. I wanted to spend hours and hours with these characters. Don't Think Twice is in equal measure funny, touching, honest, heartbreaking, clever, beautiful and totally realistic. Birbiglia is a master class of writer/director/actor and I can't wait to see what his next project is.
(5 out of 5 Stars, The film is rated R for language and some drug use.)
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