Page to Screen: A Teen’s Hope For ‘It’s Kind Of A Funny Story’
Posted by youth advisory board on 07-29-2010
Ed. Note: After Meg’s relieved review of “Ramona and Beezus” earlier this week, I thought it would be interesting to hear a teen‘s initial response to an unexpected favorite read heading to the big screen.
Below Ypulse Youth Advisory Board member Amanda shares her early take on the upcoming film “It’s Kind of a Funny Story” based on the dramedic YA novel by Ned Vizzini. Note the importance of credibility in details as small as who produces the score.
As always, you can contact our Youth Advisory Board directly, just email them at youthadvisoryboard at ypulse.com…. or leave a comment below.
Page to Screen: A Teen’s Hope For ‘It’s Kind Of A Funny Story’
As an avid reader, I have a long list of favorite novels. But only a few of those have been successfully adapted into movies. Of course, in general, there seem to be only a handful of adaptations that win in both the box office and in critical acclaim (Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, etc.). Many are neither and some are just one or the other (guess which category Twilight falls into?).
Don’t get me wrong. It’s not that I hate it when books are made into movies, I just get concerned. So it came as a surprise when I heard that It’s Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini was heading into production and I actually felt excited. It just seemed like one of the novels that could do well as a movie. That is, if handled the right way. The book follows a suicidal teen during his time spent in a psych ward and touches on some dark topics including depression, recreational drug use and sexuality. I knew I wouldn’t want to see Justin Bieber, a Jonas Brother or any other tween star in a censored, Disney-fied version. Still, I was cautiously optimistic.
I became more hopeful for this movie when I heard indie band Broken Social Scene was going to produce the score and that independent film company Focus Features was going to produce and distribute the film. Both made me think that it was going to be less mainstream, but still accessible to teens outside of big cities. It also didn’t hurt that the absurd and hilarious Zack Galifianakis from “The Hangover” was attached to the project. And after hearing that Keir Gilchrist of Showtime series “The United Stated of Tara” landed the lead role as the angsty Craig Gilner? I can officially say that I am stoked for this movie and not concerned about getting stuck in the theater with a bunch of Twi-hards or Bieber fans.
When the trailer premiered on the internet about a week ago, I immediately went on YouTube and had my eyes glued to the screen anxiously waiting to see if my hopes would hold up. I can honestly say from beginning to end, it was remarkable. Judging from the song by Ida Maria in the background, I can’t wait to hear what the soundtrack will sound like. I was slightly concerned with some plot changes and extra storylines I saw, but maybe those changes will fit well with how plot will get adapted into a movie? Overall, it seems like it’s in good hands and will probably be “kind of a funny movie.” See what I did there?
About Amanda
Being a true believer in the Socratic Method (no, seriously) and a 16 year-old high school junior living in London, Ontario, Canada, Amanda believes that asking questions might just get her somewhere. Even when it comes to finding her way out of the superficial labyrinth that is known as school, she is not one who refrains from a challenge. Reading novels and asking questions are what satisfies her need to learn, and to get insight on different cultures (and pop culture!), languages (she hopes to be fluent in seven… good luck with that) to International Law/Social Justice and trends. Though she has many interests, she insists that music, hiding in the library at lunch time, volunteering, being a member of Junior Achievement, making insanely bad jokes, and wishing at 11:11 to be the “few” staples she can always rely on. Another passion of hers? Writing- whether it is songs, poetry or stories, which is why Amanda is so excited to be a member of the YAB for Ypulse. Maybe asking questions might just get her somewhere after all?
Categorized under: Books & Print, Page To Screen, Youth Advisory Board