In the same festival where she showcased her screenwriting chops, Rachel Sennott also showcased her dramatic side in I Used to Be Funny, a difficult drama that garnered less acclaim than Bottoms (2023). It’s understandable– while both films have a witty, gen-Z slant in its comedy, this drama is much harder to balance and heavy to watch, dealing with mental health and PTSD. The non-linear narrative occasionally does make the film feel a tad disjointed as well. However, there’s a care and a warmth from Ally Pankiw’s direction that makes this exploration of Sam’s complex trauma feel heartfelt, and Sennott holds each scene with compelling charisma.
Synopsis
Sam is a young stand-up comedian and au pair struggling with PTSD, who is weighing whether or not to join the search for Brooke, a missing girl she used to nanny.
Storyline
After the teenger she used to nanny ran away from home, former stand-up comedian Sam Cowell weighs whether or not to join the search, though her history with the family makes her reluctant to do so.
TLDR
Of course, I’m seated for Rachel Sennott.
What stands out
It makes sense to have a non-linear narrative in order to cultivate mystery around what happened, but at the start, the jump is jarring rather than natural.
