Synopsis: Winner of a 2012 Audience Award at Sundance, comedian Mike Birbiglia wrote, directed and stars in this sincere and hilarious Sleepwalk With Me based on his off-Broadway show and bestselling book. It’s also the first movie co-written by Ira Glass and co-produced by “This American Life.” The story: when an aspiring stand-up fails to express his true feelings about his girlfriend and his stalled career, his anxiety comes out in increasingly funny and dangerous sleepwalking incidents.
Release Date: December 18, 2012 MPAA Rating: PG-13
Genre(s): Drama, Comedy
Film Review
Production
First time director and stand up comedian Mike Birbiglia has crafted a wonderfully unique film in Sleepwalk with Me. Based on his one man show the film follows an aspiring comedian who is struggling to balance a growing career, a demanding relationship, and a potentially deadly sleepwalking problem. Though Birbiglia – who’s real life serves as the basis for the story – takes some liberties in his quest to craft a compelling narrative, he ultimately delivers a film that is about finding oneself and pursuing one’s passions in the face of all obstacles. It’s brutally honest and unrelentingly entertaining all at the same time. And beyond just crafting an entertaining and funny film, Birbiglia does an excellent job of carrying nearly every scene as both the star and narrator. You can tell that this is a personal story — one that he wanted to tell, even if it is a little embellished — and that makes it all the more enjoyable.
Cast and Crew
- Director(s): Mike Birbiglia
- Producer(s): Ira GlassJacob Jaffke
- Screenwriter(s): Mike BirbigliaJoe BirbigliaIra Glass
- Story: Seth Barrish
- Cast: Mike Birbiglia (Matt Pandamiglio)Lauren Ambrose (Abby) Danny Borbon (Tommy)Aya Cash (Hannah)Lucy DeVito (Hilary)Ira Glass (Wedding Photographer)Philip Ettinger (Doug)Carol Kane (Linda)Alex Karpovsky (Ian Gilmore)Ben Levin (Philip)
- Editor(s):
- Cinematographer: Adam Beckman
- Production Designer(s): Tania Bijani
- Costume Designer:
- Casting Director(s):
- Music Score:
- Music Performed By: Andrew Hollander
- Country Of Origin: USA