Sleepwalk with Me
United States
2012
81 Min
Color
1.85:1
English
Synopsis
I’m going to tell you a story, and it’s true. . . . I always have to tell people that.
So asserts comedian-turned-playwright-turned-filmmaker Mike Birbiglia directly to the viewer at the outset of his autobiographically inspired, fictional feature debut. Birbiglia wears his incisive wit on his sleeve while portraying a cinematic surrogate. We are thrust into the tale of a burgeoning stand-up comedian struggling with the stress of a stalled career, a stale relationship threatening to race out of his control, and the wild spurts of severe sleepwalking he is desperate to ignore.
Based on the successful one-man show, Sleepwalk with Me engages in the kind of passionate and personal storytelling that transfigures intimate anguish into comic art. Bursting with sincerity, Mike Birbiglia’s foray into the medium marks the invigorating emergence of a strong and poignant American voice, at once hilarious and heartbreaking. –Sundance Film Festival
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Marcus Killerby
28Apr13
I saw Birbiglia live a few weeks ago and based on how much I enjoyed his show I decided to watch his movie. The movie has a lot going for it. Birbiglia directs some visually funny and bizarre scenes. Surprisingly where this film is lacking is both in pacing and scripting. He's mastered this on stage but I don't think he can translate these talents too well to film....
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Marcus Killerby
28Apr13
The movie starts with him stating that a) it's a true story and b) few people believe him when he tells it to them. This is a poor way of opening the film because the story isn't hugely unbelievable. The other issue is that I don't believe it's true. He's changed his name Matt Pandabiglio (?), which is the first lie but it also contradicts the story he told in the live show I saw him do in which he ends up marrying his girlfriend of 8 years... He also wasn't wearing a wedding ring during the show so I find it hard to believe anything he says. But that's not the point of a comic, or a filmmaker for that matter. Both are born liars. The worst offence this film gives is that it isn't very funny. It's occassionally amusing and has some funny moments but for the most part it's depressing. Still it's not a bad debut... it just can't hold a candle to the Woody Allen films that inspired it. I like Birbiglia, a lot... I think he is a hilarious talent, but you wouldn't guess it from this film. 3/5 nice try Mike but better luck next time.
Matt Richards
30Mar13
A Fairly flat tale of a sleepwalking, wanna-be comedian in a troubled relationship searching for meaning. It will probably appeal to Birbiglia (This American Life) fans and the 20's crowd but I found it very light-on with only one really emotionally resonant moment. 2.5 stars
garridoa
16Jan13
Yeah, I didn't enjoy this at all. Loved the comedy album.The movie doesn't convey the same sense of eccentricity and thrilling danger that Mike Birbiglia was able to do with his spoken word. I just felt "safe" and "clean" the entire time I was watching the movie. And honestly, it wasn't that funny.
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Sundance 2012. Awards
By David Hudson on January 29, 2012
An overview of what the critics are saying about the winners.
Trailer Debut for Mike Birbiglia's SLEEPWALK WITH ME
By Twitchfilm.com on July 11, 2012
Well known for his work on This American Life, “comedian-turned-playwright-turned-filmmaker” Mike Birbiglia made his directorial debut at Sundance this year with his “Best of NEXT” winning SLEEPWALK WITH
SXSW 2012: Mike Birbiglia discusses SLEEPWALK WITH ME
By Twitchfilm.com on March 14, 2012
After it’s amazing reception at Sundance this year, including winning the Best of NEXT audience award, Sleepwalk With Me is continuing with that momentum at SXSW. Mike Birbiglia, sat down with us to discuss
Sundance 2012 Review: SLEEP WALK WITH ME
By Twitchfilm.com on February 1, 2012
Mike Birbiglia’s Sleep Walk With Me has a lot going for it. It’s smart, it’s charming, it’s funny and it’s deeply personal. If you know of Mike Birbiglia’s other work, you know that this is the case with
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this american life: the movie
By Rev'rend Greene on February 23, 2013
Recently I have found myself repeatedly saying, often in defensive of my own inclination toward austere and highly serious movies, “I think it’s much harder to write good comedy than it is to write… read review
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