"Funny Ha Ha" is one of the first films of the "mumblecore/Slackavetes" movement of ultra-low budget films made by young, blossoming filmmakers about the seemingly mundane moments of life.
Directed and Written by Andrew Bujalski, 2002.
Starring...let's face it, no one you've heard of.
The director plays a supporting role.
Review by CINEMAGIRL:
The story centers around Marnie, a 24 year-old who is in between jobs and looking for love with the wrong guy. She parties like a college kid but decides that it's time to take charge of her life.
Like other Slackavetes films (see also my review for Hannah Takes the Stairs) this film is shot in real locations using real, sometimes annoyingly juvenile, dialogue and real people - many of which are involved in the film in some other capacity, such as sound or cinematography. The identifying factor of these films is the low, low budget and lack of action. That's not to say nothing happens, it's just that the drama in these films surrounds a minute part of life. Remember when you were just out of college and finding a roommate or buying a car felt like such a huge challenge? These are the kinds of conflicts that befall characters in Slackavetes films.
Back to Funny Ha Ha, the title is not exactly fitting. I didn't find any part of the film that really made me laugh. That's not to say that the film failed it's objective. I hardly felt it was supposed to be a comedy.
Marnie has bad taste in guys, she's struggling to get a foothold at a real career, and finally, through a personal blow, she decides to get her life in order. She makes a to-do list and starts scratching off items like "try to quit drinking for a month," or "spend more time outdoors." Actually, I thought the film ended rather abruptly before we were able to see Marnie achieve more of these personal goals and transform herself a little more. More time could've been spent on these objectives.
Overall, it's rather impressive this film is as good as it is when you realize the director/writer/editor - Bujalksi - was 24 when he made it. It looks a lot like a student film but contains originality. I would give the director an A for Effort, but overall, this film did not captivate me. Now that he has matured, I'd be interested in seeing this film re-made, or at least, the concept taken a little further.
LOOK: 6
ACTING: 6.5
STORY: 6.5
Worth a rent if you want to see what new film styles have emerged in recent years, but don't expect greatness. It will be interesting to see what this filmmaker does in years to come. I think he has good ideas.
