Admirable film.

Funny, strange, confrontational and subversive, this is one of the most interesting experiences you'll have at the cinema this year.

It's a movie as timely as it is provocative and amazingly, for much of its running time, it is weirdly funny.

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties. It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

Having recently graduated college without any useful real world skills or training, a young woman gravitates between various friends while trying to secure a meaningful job and long term boyfriend in this independent American drama. The film starts off fairly well with her struggle to with what to do with her life after college resonating, especially as her friends express envy for her spontaneous lifestyle when what she really craves is direction and order. This early potential is, however, never maximized as the film mostly consists of awkward conversations between lead actress Kate Dollenmayer and her friends with a lot of whiny complaining. The uncertainty facing Dollenmayer might be heartfelt, but her lack of ambition and unwillingness to take charge of her life renders it incredibly hard to relate to her first world problems. To be fair, bits and pieces of the tale are memorable, like an experiment involving sitting on laps and Dollenmayer talking to the sister of the boy she wants to go out with, unaware that he is listening in the background, but the high points are few and far between with the film concluding in an unsatisfying abrupt manner. The supporting cast here are pretty decent (given that most were first time actors) and some of the dialogue occasionally hits home, but this is still mostly just a series of awkward filmed conversations at the end of the day.

An ultra-low budget film about aimless twenty-somethings wasting their lives brings to mind Richard Lindlater's 'Slacker'; and while Andrew Bujalski's film lacks that movie's experimental formlessness, it does share something of the same mood. The cinematography has the feel of a super-eight home movie; but the piece is acutely observed and feels real throughout. Unfortuantly, it's just not that interesting, in part because its characters just aren't that interesting, and in a sense this isn't accidental; their directionless existence owes much to the fact that they simply haven't lived enough to have anything to care about, anything to say. And while there should be a profound sadness underpinning this, and some sociological analysis, the film never seems to scrape below its surface of whiny, unhappy people. You wouldn't dislike these people in real life, but if they have any notable attributes, they're not on display, and you wouldn't go out of your way to spend time in their company. But what's true of the characters is sadly also true of the film that contains them.

The digital age has produced a decent amount of crap, but none so crappy as the film(?) Funny Ha Ha.First let me explain something, editing together crappy footage until you reach a point near 90 minutes does not equal a film. Basically thats what happened on this film.The plot follows Marnie, since the actress who plays Marnie can't act we are immediately bored. But since Marnie is around other people who can't act the director is hoping that we won't notice, that perhaps by proximity it will appear that everyone can act. It doesn't work, because I have seen other films, therefore I understand acting.I have seen my fair share of low budget crap, I used to review short films. So I have developed a taste for what works and what doesn't in the arena of up and comers. I can confidently say this film is a total waste of time, I checked it out from my LIBRARY FOR FREE, and still felt ripped off. I didn't even spend money to see this and I felt ripped off, that should tell you something.

What happens when some bored teenagers in Boston get their hands on a camera? It depends on several things of course. To paraphrase my grandmother "It's all good fun until someone decides to actually make a movie". And while this sorry waste of energy won't 'put an eye out', you might actually wish for a stick in the eye, the thought being that the pain would distract you from having to endure another moment of this mess.Firstly, nobody in the film can act...and I mean that kindly. Ms. Dollenmayer also has the misfortune to be rather plain (also being kind here). I could see the film 11 times and not pick her out of a line up.But mainly, why make this film? It seems to be about a girl who is in a summer doldrum, trying to find a job and a boyfriend. I have a suggestion for this character: "Put on some makeup, brush your hair, make a quick trip to the GAP and grow a personality". We have all been in similar situations, some of us did something about it and some just wallowed in self pity, waiting for the miracle that never came. My point is that, while this seemingly angst ridden premise may seem quite profound and meaningful for the kids who spent 3 weeks doing what they normally do and filming it, as a story, it lacks direction, tension and above all, it's boring to other people. There is no story arc, and more importantly, I could not work up a bit of interest in these characters, what they were doing or where they may end up.It would be difficult to write a spoiler for this film, as there is none. To me, the entire project was spoiled when this over eager, under talented lot, somehow got the $67.25 to actually make it. I sincerely wish them well and hope that their real lives take a turn for the serious.