'I Used to Be Funny' Review: Rachel Sennott's Star Power is Impossible to Ignore
despite a promising premise, a lack of clarity limits the effectiveness of this emotional drama.
Every year, the South by Southwest film festival introduces dozens of films to the circuit, and while blockbusters have been known to make an appearance, its often the smaller movies that take off from there. I Used to Be Funny premiered last year, and finally, those waiting (impatiently) can finally catch this movie in theatres.
I Used to Be Funny, the debut feature of Canadian director Ally Pankiw, stars Rachel Sennott as Sam, a stand-up comedian that talks all things men, poking fun at dating and what it’s like to be a woman in the current social climate. Viewers follow Sam as she struggles with her mental health and obsesses over the disappearance of a teenage girl she used to nanny. Sam’s feelings wreak havoc on her life, distancing her from her roommates and friends, and stifling her comedic talents.
The heart of this movie focuses on what it can be like to be lost. This movie will likely resonate with those that have been victimized but ended up convincing themselves that they were the perpetrator. For viewers that have swallowed their own emotions and struggled to choose between what is right compared to what feels right, Sam’s story may feel familiar. This film also touches on the difficulties of growing up as a girl and then, inevitably, becoming a woman, and what that means. It’s a simple film, the story remaining short but effective, and with solid performances from the supporting cast, Sennott soars.
Indeed, for fans of Rachel Sennott, this is a must watch. Since the debut of Shiva Baby in 2020, indie darling Sennott has been a name to watch. Her popularity has only continued to rise with her iconic quips in Bodies Bodies Bodies and her abrasive humour in Bottoms, fuelling fans of the New York comedy scene. While now known for her filmography, Sennott began her career with early work in comedy, including regular open mic gigs and Twitter comedy. I Used to be Funny follows a similar character, likely inspired by Sennott’s own experiences with early stardom; using darker themes, this film allows her to branch into a performance that removes this typical layer of humorous invincibility, raw emotion on display. This role gives Sennott a chance to prove herself beyond a hilarious addition, but as a powerful lead.
While this premise holds promise, and Rachel Sennott delivers a performance of an entirely new caliber, several factors hold this film back from achieving its potential. Despite being a new release, some of the chosen humour instantly dates it, creating a time capsule of funny phrases used only today. Further, while this film has the chance to either focus on the restorative power of bonding friendships or purely showcase what it means to independently heal, it hovers on the border, becoming a little murky. Sam’s friends, played by Sabrina Jalees and Caleb Hearon, are almost laughably unsupportive, yet the film attempts to convince viewers of how important these relationships are. Part of film focuses on Sam’s ex-boyfriend, played by Ennis Esmer, and again, this feels ineffective to both service the plot and emotionally impact viewers. While the film could take a clear stance, it again hovers in an in-between area, limiting what these characters actually mean to Sam and her journey. While some moments hold promise, the lack of clarity here only ends up distancing Sam from the viewer.
Despite these limitations, this film has a strong ending, finally using ambiguous relationships to its advantage. Healing is non-linear, alike to this film’s presentation, but without Sennott’s power, it may have fallen a little flatter. Overall, supporters of independent (and Canadian!) cinema and lovers of Rachel Sennott will likely enjoy this film and what it offers both through style and emotion, but for other, less motivated viewers, it may not be as memorable as some of this year’s other releases.