Not That Funny

I saw Not That Funny at Newport Beach Film Festival and thought it was the best film of the fest. Brigid Brannagh is lovely as a daughter returning home to her grandmother's house in a small California town. Tony Hale is awkward and entertaining as the man who thinks he has to make her laugh to win her heart. Watch for a fun turn from comedian Nick Thune as the man who tries to help Hale learn comedy. I loved the depiction of the little town and the people who can see Hale's character for the man he really is, especially the relationship between Hale and his friend Kevork, played by John Kapelos. The film is full of little details that feel authentic to the world and town is charming. I'm looking forward to seeing future films from co-writer/director Lauralee Farrer. Check out this film if you get a chance.

Netflix recommended this film for me and I'm really glad that it did. It's just charming. While it's a story about a guy who wants to impress a pretty girl, It's also about family and connections and the human condition in a heart warming package.

The storyline/Plot was very well acted by the leading man (Tony Hale) and the leading lady (Brigid Brannagh). Good relational study on both characters although I wish there were a little more signs of they will come together.

I do appreciate these type of movies with no cursing and no premarital sex because of the PG rating. It was about she accept him for the type of person he is and he learned the importance of continuing to care for other non-blood related people i.e. Her grandmother and trying to develop a friendship that would eventually lead to the next step.

Not That Funny was a truly wonderful movie. Tony Hale was perfect as the central character. His timing, his delivery, his presence - all very nicely done. The casting was excellent and all the characters made sense in a nice, normal way. Personally, I was happy to have only a little cussing and no sex at all. To paraphrase Anthony Lane, the film critic for The New Yorker, half the viewers aren't happy when the people take their clothes off in the movie and the other half can't wait until they do. I was pleased to know I had spent an hour and a half of my life without having to mute the sound or change the channel. Why can't there be more decent movies with good stories?!?

Answer: The beautiful stained glass and church is St. Rita Parish, a Catholic Church at 318 North Baldwin Ave, Sierra Madre, CA 91024 (where Tony Hale's character runs at night.)

Besides the scenery and gentle small town feel, this film and the characters are charming. What a relief to know we all share so many similarities; falling short and missing out by harshly judging ourselves trying to be something we're not. Just be kind!

Saying "I'm alone, but not lonely" can and is fine. While watching these very human characters it struck me, how rich our life can be, by simply moving out of our head to see the most valuable people will see the 'real' us, and the person we are is just fine indeed.

Dr Seuss said it best. "Be who you are, say what you feel, those that mind don't matter, and those that matter don't mind." (RIP Dr. Seuss!)

This movie illuminates the many brilliant colors of that Dr. Seuss quote. 'Not That Funny' has beautiful colorful people we can relate to, along with the heartfelt and enlightening entertainment we often need.