"I'm going to tell you a story, and it's true"¦.I always have to tell people that."
These are the first words spoken by Birbiglia directly to the audience. While you aren't entirely sure what is going to take shape over the next hour and a half, you can't help but be intrigued by both Birbiglia and his semi-autobiographical story.
Based on the popular one-man show, Sleepwalk With Me introduces the world to Mike Birbiglia, comedian-turned-playwright-turned-filmmaker, as he investigates the hardships that come with a stalled career, a struggling relationship, and an extreme problem with sleepwalking"”all of which he choses to ignore.
While I thoroughly dislike the art of breaking the fourth wall and speaking directly to the audience, sometimes it is done in such a way that you can't help but smile"”or, in this case, laugh.
The journey Birbiglia's Matt Pandamiglio takes is anything but unique, but the added component of sleepwalking helps add a sense of the unknown. While the problem is a serious one, it is often used for comedic relief in a story that is centered strongly on its characters.
While the film deals with both discovery and heartbreak, Sleepwalk With Me tells its story with a bare sense of humility and sincerity. Both Mike Birbiglia and co-star Lauren Ambrose embrace the style, crafting a story that is as modern as any I've ever seen.
