A former stand-up comedian struggles with PTSD as she struggles to reclaim her life and to look for the missing girl she used to nanny.
Who is in it?
Rachel Sennott - Sam Cowell
Olga Petsa - Brooke Renner
Favorite Scene:
[spoiler alert]
As the plot comes together (going back and forth from present and past PTSD trauma), we see Sam go back to the house she served as a Nanny, tying the film together.
Favorite Quote:
"Are you going to ask me what I was wearing next?"
Review:
After finishing I Use to Be Funny, I struggle to place this film in a box. Comedy?? Not sure why it is labeled as that on Netflix...while it has tremendous humor and one liners, a natural as Sam is a comedian, the deeper story arc surrounds deeper tones of sexual assault, parental death, awful parents, and tons of collateral damage by way of a horrific event.
It's complex to say the least, but it doesn't take away from the film. You're invested in Sam and her story throughout, especially since Rachel Sennott was absolutely tremendous in carrying the film.
It's a complex film about finding your joy again (I used to be funny...get it?) and is a great reflection of our journeys through life and what we mean to one another in it. I would have liked to see more of the "whole story" as a viewer. But...I also get that we aren't privileged to that since we're viewing it through the lens of PTSD.
There was something genuinely powerful about the inference you make as a viewer watching, then getting details, then confirming it, only for the word "r*pe" - the only time it was said - to be mentioned in the very end, as part of her act returning to the stage. Well done.
I would have liked to know what became of her relationship with her ex-boyfriend. Ah well...
It's a funny yet dark and deep film that is a good watch. More so for the effort from Sennott. Give it a watch - you likely will need to be in a quirky mood before (and likely after) watching this one.
Grade: 3.5/5