I USED TO BE FUNNY
Starring: Rachel Sennott, Olga Petsa, Sabrina Jalees, Caleb Hearon, Ennis Esmer, and Jason Jones
Director: Ally Pankiw
PAIGE
I Used to Be Funny is a devastatingly funny movie that deftly finds the right mix between comedy and melancholy. It manages to capture the highs and lows of overcoming a terrible experience with its use of flashbacks and flashforwards to offer its audience more insight into the lives of these characters. This movie isn’t afraid to utilize humor in grim situations, and all of this is possible because writer/director Ally Pankiw gave her actors, Rachel Sennott and Olga Petsa in particular, the freedom to feel real and empathetic.
KATIE
I Used to Be Funny is one of the most honest and authentic depictions of the impact of sexual trauma that I’ve ever seen. Considering the dark subject matter, the tone is sharply funny and satirical in a very timely way, yet does not undercut the protagonist's struggle and is deeply empathetic and compassionate. The way the narrative explores the past and present highlights how the aftermath of these experiences can fundamentally change a person, and Rachel Sennott masterfully balances comedy and the sharp wit she is known for with pained smiles and a deep vulnerability.
