SLEEPWALK WITH ME

US, 2012, 81 minutes, Colour.
Mike Birbiglia, Lauren Ambrose, James Rebhorn, Carol Kane.
Directed by Mike Birbiglia.

Mike Birbiglia is a stand-up comic. He is associated with This American Life and has a following in the United States, less so elsewhere. However, for those who see this comedy, he may attract more followers. He wrote and directed the film as well as starring in it.

The story is semi autobiographical. It is the story of a comedian called Matt, whom, to all intents and purposes, is Birbiglia. He narrates his story directly to camera, involving the audience. As he is driving and turning towards the audience, he tells the story of his recent years in flashbacks.

He has been in a relationship with Abby, Lauren Ambrose, for eight years but, despite her desire to get married, he is reluctant. He also has ambitions to be a stand-up comic. He does get to perform briefly in the club where he is a bartender. However, his ‘set’ is not particularly funny, even Abby and his friends don’t listen to him, saying that they had heard the jokes when they were at college. And they weren’t so funny then.

However, in discussing with another comic, he meets his agent, a seemingly hard case who, however, does get him some gigs. In relating some of his own experiences, especially with marriage ( and avoiding marriage), he gets laughs and is on the way to more successful shows. In touring the East Coast, he gets a chance to be away from Abby even when, reluctantly, they have become engaged and she is busy with Matt’s mother arranging the wedding.

The title of the film comes from his REM-sleeping-disorder and disturbance. Not only does he have vivid nightmares, he starts to sleepwalk, then re-enact the dreams, which are visualized for us, sometimes quite dangerously. They are a sign that he should not get married, that he is avoiding it, and eventually he makes a decision.

One is sorry for Abby. She seems a nice kind of girl and deserves better.

Audiences who share the same age as Matt and Abby as well as sharinf some of their issues might find the film quite telling. For older audiences there are the amusing performances of James Rebhorn as Mike’s definite and negative father and his dry wit remarks as well as Carol Kane as his loving but ditheringly loquacious mother.

There is a certain sad sack humor with Mike Birbiglia, reminiscent at times of Woody Allen or Albert Brooks, though without their hangdog looks.

1. Portrait of a stand-up comic? Comics and their characters? Humour? Performances? The response of the public? The influence of their career on their ordinary lives?

2. Mike Birbiglia and his career, comedy, television, radio, film? The writing and directing of this film?

3. The film as semi-autobiographical? His opening up of his life, his strengths and weaknesses?

4. His driving the car, in the present, turning to the camera, talking to the audience, remembering and the flashbacks?

5. Matt, his age and experience, his character, his life and memories of childhood, his relationship with Abby, 8 years, his wanting to be a comedian? His job in the bar, standing in, compering? His set, the jokes, the sources of his humour? His relationship with his parents, his father’s blunt directions, his mother and her chatter? Meals, the family, relations, Uncle Max and his music?

6. Abby, her character, her classes and the good response, eight years with Matt, discussions about marriage? Her really wanting to marry?

7. The portrait of Matt’s parents, the sardonic humor in the presentation of his father, bluntness, challenge to his son? The good-natured mother? Dithering? The rebukes from her husband and her not noticing?

8. The discussion with the stand-up comic, sharing ideas, the card for the agent, the discussions with the agent, her wheeler-dealing? Getting Matt some
gigs?

9. Friends from college days, support, discussions, having heard all his jokes?

10. The gigs, his change of material, about relationships and marriage?

11. The girl in the bar, sexual approach, his behavior, reaction?

12. The proposal, and Abby’s reaction, his mother’s, the preparation for the marriage, the dress…?

13. Matt’s realisation that he did not want to marry, could not commit, wanted his career? The breakup? The effect on Abby?

14. The revelation about his new life, wife and family, career?