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Funny Ha Ha, 2002

Funny Ha Ha

English

USA

Rating:6.0
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Profile of Funny Ha Ha

The mood of Funny Ha Ha is clever, humorous, and witty. The plot centers around being single, twentysomething life, and looking for love. It is a comedy, drama, and romance movie. Stylistically, Funny Ha Ha is talky. In approach, it is realistic. It takes place, at least partly, at a school. Funny Ha Ha happens in contemporary times. It is especially suggested for a date night.

Summary of Funny Ha Ha

Shot in 16mm, FUNNY HA HA examines life after college in an understated and moving way. Written, directed, and co-starring Andrew Bujalski, the film features impressively natural performances led by newcomer Kate Dollenmayer (a friend of Bujalski's from film school, and an animator for WAKING LIFE), whose commanding yet familiar presence may lead viewers to feel she's someone they've known for years. In fact everything about FUNNY HA HA feels familiar, from the characters to the dialogue. While reminiscent of early Richard Linklater work like SLACKER due to its slow pace and focus on human interaction, the conversations in FUNNY HA HA are less philosophical in theme, and more grounded in reality (awkward silences, stuttering, miscommunication and all). Focusing more on character than on plot, the film revolves loosely around Marnie (Dollenmayer), an attractive and intelligent young woman searching clumsily for some sense of purpose in what seems at times like an aimless life. Nearing 24 and recently unemployed, Marnie spends her days hanging out with friends she knew in college, trying out unsatisfying temp positions, and pining after an unavailable and unwilling love interest.

Bujalski's script and the seemingly improvisational performances of his cast capture the pains, joys, and frustrations of everyday life. Like Marnie, FUNNY HA HA is consumed not so much by an outward angst, but rather the reluctantly accepted reality that life is not perfect. In exploring the themes of Marnie's life, it artfully shows that people aren't always good or bad, things aren't always black and white, boundaries are easily blurred, and timing is often off. The world of the film is one that many viewers should recognize--one in which tragedy, humor, sadness, and happiness all coexist.

Details

Language: English
Country: USA
Release date: September 2002
Runtime: 85 min

Cast and Crew

Christian Rudder

as Alex

Andrew Bujalski

as Mitchell

Photos

Funny Ha Ha (2002)
Funny Ha Ha (2002)

Critics Reviews

Los Angeles Times
As David Rakoff once wrote, "Youth isn't wasted on the young. It is perpetrated on the young." Exactly how is brilliantly captured by Andrew Bujalski in his debut feature, Funny Ha Ha.
The New York Times
It is a small, plain movie, shot in 16 millimeter in dull locations around Boston; but also, like its passive, quizzical heroine, it is unexpectedly seductive, and even, in its own stubborn, hesitant way, beautiful.

Users Reviews

There are very few movies that I can actually toss a single star (Volcano is the first to come to mind), but "Funny Ha Ha" made a solid run. If this is "indie charm," then I've lost all knowledge of good cinematic art. This film is brutal. Alex,...
Likely to see
Not for me

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