It's not that I've ever felt suicidal (like our hero does) but depression and isolation have always haunted me in every walks of life. In childhood, I had a lot of trouble hanging around with kids and my over-protective parents unknowingly added more to this. As a result, I had to face a lot of trouble mixing up with people of my own age. I still face the problem although at this point of life, I've come to accept that certain things about me can never be undone so I've given up the attempt to change them. I'm not as introvert now as I used to be although my twenty-one year being (about to turn twenty-two this October) has still inherited a lot of things from my tween self: I still don't like sports, I still hate Cricket (99% Indians adore it!) I still don't know how to strike a normal conversation with completely unknown people.
Albeit, I'm grateful towards God that I have great parents, few but really caring friends, a roof over my head, a good job and a good future to look forward to. I've been depressed about my problems a lot but upon learning that there are many people out there with even bigger problems, I decided to not waste my time thinking over and over again about the same stuff and to just be grateful about the things we have. And that we should make the most of it all. My didactic conscience then taught me: just face life as it comes to you. Don't worry too much, and you'll learn to get by eventually. At one point in my life, I was almost like how Craig, the protagonist of the film, felt: I used to over think, I took everything too seriously, I used to wonder how the heck are people so smarter than me and I was lost in my own bubble. One day, Craig's inner bubble of trouble expanded to such an extent that he began to have weird suicidal thoughts. That's where our story begins: a kid walking into a mental ward thinking that they'll cure him with medication.
Instead, the four walls of the ward showed him how big the world really is, how many beautiful things it has, what he is missing and how lucky he actually is to have things people only dream of. If Craig really had everything, why was he depressed? Was it his father, who always asked the wrong questions? His fragile mother? His sister who was more genius than him? His multi-talented best friend who seems to be perfect at everything? The ugly fact that he can never have the girl of his dreams? The biggest reason here lies in the fact that Craig was looking at his life from a wrong angle and he (and the society) was forcing himself to believe that his only aim in life was to reach point A and then go to point B. People around him mastered in Physics and whatnot. So does that mean he should do too? And if he doesn't, is he a stupid idiot?
From what Craig observed, he developed the mentality that he HAS to master in Physics, he HAS to be brilliant in Subject C and master Sport D. Once Craig reached a mature age when he began to think for himself, his mind automatically began to detect that there's something wrong with life. He suddenly found himself in a place he doesn't belong to. And, Bam! A baby called Depression was born. The way Craig enters the ward and is introduced to a variety of characters is simply masterful. He is surrounded with schizophrenics (who unconsciously blurt out punches at perfect timing), transvestites, suicide-attempts and other unknown mental disturbances (some of which are kept in the dark deliberately for thrilling effect). Inevitably, they all play a small role in changing Craig in some way or the other, may it be for some thing to provoke serious thought or to simply offer some heart- warming comedic relief.
Coming back to reality, Craig meets Muqtada: his depressed Egyptian roommate who never leaves his room. We certainly see a sign of total silence here. Craig gets to see the live example of what it means to completely cut off from the world. And is that really the best way to solve all our problems? Then there is Zach Galifianakis, which has to be his career best performance, playing Bobby: a strange bearded dude who with his own personal trauma makes Craig see how little his own troubles are. Although, Zach does this in a non-serious way by approaching Craig through a happy-go-lucky humor. He does make Craig see the importance of life in small doses but remains optimistic and supportive through-out the experience. And... who can forget Emma Roberts? Her charm and her smart moves are at times enigmatic yet something reassuring always delves in her eyes. Or may be it's simply because she's too beautiful? I'm so jealous of you, Craig.
After seeing this film twice, I've come to observe how excellent the film-editing is. This element seems to improve the whole quality of the film, helping the narrative acquire a smooth and at times funny edge that jumps in from nowhere (but is not random). I'm quite fascinated by the concept of editing and this is definitely a great example of how it can affect the mood and pace of a film! The only thing that bothered me is how the last half-hour, despite being thought-provoking is too swift and lacks the rich narrative of Craig that has been so wonderfully guiding us through this journey. Although, it is a complain I can live with given the really wonderful cathartic note with which the film ends itself. This bit may come off as self-indulgent and clichéd for many but Craig's parting words are uttered simply for his own sake and not really to justify the fantastic conclusion.
Albeit, I'm grateful towards God that I have great parents, few but really caring friends, a roof over my head, a good job and a good future to look forward to. I've been depressed about my problems a lot but upon learning that there are many people out there with even bigger problems, I decided to not waste my time thinking over and over again about the same stuff and to just be grateful about the things we have. And that we should make the most of it all. My didactic conscience then taught me: just face life as it comes to you. Don't worry too much, and you'll learn to get by eventually. At one point in my life, I was almost like how Craig, the protagonist of the film, felt: I used to over think, I took everything too seriously, I used to wonder how the heck are people so smarter than me and I was lost in my own bubble. One day, Craig's inner bubble of trouble expanded to such an extent that he began to have weird suicidal thoughts. That's where our story begins: a kid walking into a mental ward thinking that they'll cure him with medication.
Instead, the four walls of the ward showed him how big the world really is, how many beautiful things it has, what he is missing and how lucky he actually is to have things people only dream of. If Craig really had everything, why was he depressed? Was it his father, who always asked the wrong questions? His fragile mother? His sister who was more genius than him? His multi-talented best friend who seems to be perfect at everything? The ugly fact that he can never have the girl of his dreams? The biggest reason here lies in the fact that Craig was looking at his life from a wrong angle and he (and the society) was forcing himself to believe that his only aim in life was to reach point A and then go to point B. People around him mastered in Physics and whatnot. So does that mean he should do too? And if he doesn't, is he a stupid idiot?
From what Craig observed, he developed the mentality that he HAS to master in Physics, he HAS to be brilliant in Subject C and master Sport D. Once Craig reached a mature age when he began to think for himself, his mind automatically began to detect that there's something wrong with life. He suddenly found himself in a place he doesn't belong to. And, Bam! A baby called Depression was born. The way Craig enters the ward and is introduced to a variety of characters is simply masterful. He is surrounded with schizophrenics (who unconsciously blurt out punches at perfect timing), transvestites, suicide-attempts and other unknown mental disturbances (some of which are kept in the dark deliberately for thrilling effect). Inevitably, they all play a small role in changing Craig in some way or the other, may it be for some thing to provoke serious thought or to simply offer some heart- warming comedic relief.
Coming back to reality, Craig meets Muqtada: his depressed Egyptian roommate who never leaves his room. We certainly see a sign of total silence here. Craig gets to see the live example of what it means to completely cut off from the world. And is that really the best way to solve all our problems? Then there is Zach Galifianakis, which has to be his career best performance, playing Bobby: a strange bearded dude who with his own personal trauma makes Craig see how little his own troubles are. Although, Zach does this in a non-serious way by approaching Craig through a happy-go-lucky humor. He does make Craig see the importance of life in small doses but remains optimistic and supportive through-out the experience. And... who can forget Emma Roberts? Her charm and her smart moves are at times enigmatic yet something reassuring always delves in her eyes. Or may be it's simply because she's too beautiful? I'm so jealous of you, Craig.
After seeing this film twice, I've come to observe how excellent the film-editing is. This element seems to improve the whole quality of the film, helping the narrative acquire a smooth and at times funny edge that jumps in from nowhere (but is not random). I'm quite fascinated by the concept of editing and this is definitely a great example of how it can affect the mood and pace of a film! The only thing that bothered me is how the last half-hour, despite being thought-provoking is too swift and lacks the rich narrative of Craig that has been so wonderfully guiding us through this journey. Although, it is a complain I can live with given the really wonderful cathartic note with which the film ends itself. This bit may come off as self-indulgent and clichéd for many but Craig's parting words are uttered simply for his own sake and not really to justify the fantastic conclusion.
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