1. E.R.

   10

   Charming, real, totally absorbing film that shows real talent from top to bottom, from upstart young director Bujalski to lead actress Dollenmayer. It's artfully shot despite having virtually no budget; the dialogue is fresh, funny, and absorbing. Anyone who has ever experience those awkward post-college years ought to love this--but really, anyone who appreciates a unique new sensibility on film ought to give it a try.… Expand

   • Helpful? 1 of 1 users said Yes.
2. Halfwelshman

   7

   Funny Ha Ha is not just an example of charming and well-performed comedy-drama, but it's important in terms of film history, effectively beginning the mumblecore film movement. It's a micro-budget production with a home-made feel, and relies on its actors naturalistic improvisations. It's about young people drifting through life post-college, and the trials and tribulations of relationships, both romantic and friendship-based. The film's narrative is seen almost entirely from the central character's perspective - Marnie (the effortlessly brilliant Kate Dollenmayer) is uncertain of her future, so takes life as it comes, encountering a number of hurdles along the way. The story itself is simplistic, and perhaps a little too minimal to gain your undivided attention for 90 minutes, and many of the film's events are left unresolved and open to interpretation. This will be a divisive point - you'll likely find it either liberating or immensely irritating (I personally didn't mind the lack of resolution, but did found myself a little disappointed). The actors all do a great job of improvising realistic conversations (talking like real people actually do - a rarity on film) and there's the odd chuckle to be had. The film is admirable for doing something a bit different with the rom-com as a genre, but I'm not certain the rest of it is being quite as original as it clearly wants to be - the low-key aesthetics owe a lot to Dogme 95, and the improvisation and comedy derived from everyday situations sometimes makes the film feel like a Mike Leigh knockoff.… Expand

   • Helpful? 0 of 0 users said Yes.
3. NickG.

   3

   pointless rubbish, no directorial qualities to speak of and rambling dialogue which to little if any funny anything.

   • Helpful? 1 of 2 users said Yes.
4. MickV.

   2

   And that's generous, a sort of acknowledgment that yes the director is at least aiming for a sort of feeling. But, my God, what a waste the thing he aims for is. A slice of no life really. Not a single interesting or charming line is uttered in the entire film. Is it possible people could really be so helpless or inarticulate. Only in a film that painfully seeks to mark itself as authentic. A complete waste of time.… Collapse

   • Helpful? 2 of 2 users said Yes.

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