Image courtesy of Utopia Distribution.
Sam (Rachel Sennott) used to be a comedian and an au pair.
Now she’s a lump on the sofa, trying to decide whether she should go looking for her charge, Brooke (Olga Petsa), who has gone missing—most likely having run away. Sam saw her just the other day, and she’s sure she can find her and bring her back home. But what is home, after what happened?
So, what did happen?
Director/writer Ally Pankiw’s “I Used to Be Funny” dances around the subject for the first half of the film, and, honestly, this is one of those things that is better discovered than told, so suffice it to say that Sam has got some serious PTSD. Sennott’s portrayal of her attempt to slowly rebuild her life is spot on, and, as the people around her keep hedging about her situation, Sam taps into her reserve of stand-up humor to combat most of the blows—but there are some things she just needs to meet head on.
Pankiw delivers a funny yet poignant, honest yet secretive, and all-around beautiful story. And it is great to see a more dramatic side of Sennott’s typical performances, contrasting from her comedic work in “Bodies Bodies Bodies” and “Bottoms,” to name a few. Petsa and Sennott’s chemistry as a nanny/charge duo is fantastic, and Sam’s roommates, Paige and Philip (played by Sabrina Jalees and Caleb Hearon), complement Sennott’s performance by also finding the perfect balance between humor and love and care for their friend. In fact, every character in the film has so much nuance—they all paint a vividly realistic picture of a community watching a broken cup start to refill itself.
This is a film you won’t want to miss. Check the content warnings if you need to, and be sure to catch the film at Midtown Cinema this month.
Midtown Cinema is located at 250 Reily St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.midtowncinema.com.
June Events At Midtown Cinema
Upcoming First Run Film Openings
“Song of Earth,” June 7
“I Used to Be Funny,” June 14
“Thelma,” June 21
“Ghostlight,” June 21
Sunday Docs Series presents
“Butterfly in the Sky” (2023)
Sunday, June 2 at noon
Midtown Cinema Trivia Night
Tuesdays, June 4 and June 18
Late Night Frights Series presents
“Hereditary” (2018)
Friday, June 7 at 9:30 p.m.
“Terrifier” (2016)
Friday, June 28 at 9:30 p.m.
Down in Front! comedy riffing presents
“The Psychotronic Man” (1979)
Friday, June 14 at 9:30ish
3rd in The Burg Movie Night presents
“Scott Pilgrim vs. The World” (2010)
Friday, June 21 at 9:30 p.m.
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