B+
To those of us on the outskirts, the world of improv comedy is a strange and scary place, harboring only the funniest and most fearless comedians. Yet on a college campus, it’s hard to turn a corner without running into yet another improv group. Perhaps it’s the inherent idealism in improv that appeals to students, as they’re beginning their transition into the real world — or perhaps college students just think they’re far funnier than they actually are.
Mike Birbiglia’s “Don’t Think Twice” takes a look at what happens to all these clear-eyed college comedians a decade later, as their dreams of fame don’t quite pan out. Birbiglia stars as Miles, the 30-something leader of an improv group called The Commune. The group is made up of Jack (Keegan-Michael Key), the showboating star; Samantha (Gillian Jacobs), his talented but fame-phobic girlfriend; Allison (Kate Micucci), a soft spoken cartoonist; Lindsay (Tami Sagher), who is still supported by her wealthy family; and Bill (Chris Gethard), a melancholy introvert who fears disappointing his father. While each character is a beloved favorite on stage, they wait tables and work checkout jobs during the week.
“Don’t Think Twice” sets itself up as the definitive behind-the-scenes look into the improv world, even beginning with a brief historical background of improvisation. It’s made clear early on just how much successful improv relies on a supportive, codependent atmosphere. Which is why when “Weekend Live” producers visit the show (the film’s “Saturday Night Live” equivalent) and single out Jack and Samantha for auditions, the resulting competitiveness and resentment cause The Commune to implode.
Laughs are sprinkled throughout (a few surprisingly timely riffs on Donald Trump stand out), but “Don’t Think Twice” is ultimately a bittersweet meditation on what happens when someone is forced to move on from their dreams. Birbiglia’s message gets a little heavy-handed at times, but it’s sure to resonate with nearly everyone in the audience — especially those of us in our 20s and 30s.
Key and Jacobs are absolute standouts, and while her character throws away a chance at fame, Jacobs herself seems on the edge of mega-stardom. It’s also ironic that Key, who got his start on sketch comedy show “Key & Peele,” should play a character that depends solely on SNL to launch his career.
As one character says, great improv is like “watching people put the plane together while already in the sky.” For those of us far too afraid to take on such a challenge, “Don’t Think Twice” gives us an unflinching glimpse into the exhilarating highs and painful lows of an improvised life.
