Why so much hype?

Fantastic!

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

The first mistake is to think this is a comedy.Mike Birbiglia plays comedian Matt Pandabiglio (boy, he disguised that well, didn't he??) who is still struggling with material, delivery, gigs, and, by the way, his long-time girl friend Abby, played by Lauren Ambrose. It is clear by those around him, they are the ideal couple that will get married and have a family. If fact, they are wondering what is taking so long. So we get to see Matt do a few minutes on stage while working his regular bar-tending job, but obviously he is a work in progress.But Matt has another problem that is troubling to Abby and his parents - he is experiencing sleepwalking with such intensity, he starts acting out his dreams with whatever is around him. Much of this has to do with his evolving comedic life and the long term live-in situation with his girlfriend.I watched this movie with the same expectation of others that I'm sure thought it was going to be exclusively a comedy. There are some of Mike's classic comedy routines with his terrific understated sense of humor, but it really is window dressing for how his relationship, sort of stuck in neutral, begins to affect them both after so many years of no commitment. Just like life, there are some good times, bad times, and all of those times in between. I'm trying to remember the last good relationship movie I saw that so cleanly portrayed the love of two people that were really not made for each other and didn't know it until so many years had passed.I am stuck wondering how much of this is autobiographical and how much was fiction. There are some definite parallels between Mike B.'s actual life and Matt P. in the movie. All I can say is, if it wasn't all biographical, then Mike did a fabulous job of making a complete and honest storyline that has people asking questions of their own behavior and relationships. Give the people in the film credit for doing a wonderful job of acting. My had is off to Birbiglia for piecing together a terrific movie.

Comedian Mike Birbiglia stars as Matt Pandamiglio in Sleepwalk With Me, which appears to be the autobiographical tale of his life up until this current point. The title of the film stems from Birbiglia's REM Sleep Behavior Disorder, which caused him to fall into deep, deep sleeps, often resulting in him sleepwalking and crossing into danger's way. During one of his shows in Walla Walla, Washington, Birbiglia, disoriented and asleep, jumped from the second-story window of his motel room and narrowly avoided accidental suicide by having thirty-three stitches put in his legs.Sleepwalk With Me chronicles not only that chapter in Birbiglia's life, but the chapters and events leading up to his career as a comedian and a motivational speaker. He has achieved off-Broadway success for years now, doing two one man shows and a comedy special. In this film, he stars as Matt Pandamiglio, who also narrates the film, making us come full circle like in his one man shows. He is a directionless twentysomething, stuck in an eight year relationship with the charming but bland Abby (Lauren Ambrose) with no plans to marry, and struggling to find stable work as is. What Matt really aspires to do is be a comedian, but his material on stage is slim and his delivery is jittery and brim-full of anxiety. He winds up performing at nearby bars, attracting nothing but hecklers and a mountain of criticism. Upon acquiring an agent from one of his close friends, out of pure desperation, he winds up driving miles away to introduce lip-syncing acts at a college campus. The gig pays about as much as he will for gas up there. When he does get laughs, they come at the expense of his relationship, and the audience seems to be awake and responsive when Matt goes into the details and tribulations that come with a long-term relationship. He states how his girlfriend told him the thing she's most afraid of is losing him to something she can't control. When asking Matt what he is most afraid of he collectively replies, "bears." Mike Birbiglia is a character of true charisma, who could definitely have a long-running career in not only one man performances, but realistic slice-of-life style comedy. The issues he proposes in his own life to his audiences are easily relatable, and his insights are witty and provide us with much of the same warmness we feel when crowded around a group of friends, sharing opinions and ideas. When Matt talks about meeting Abby and falling in what he calls "love," he describes the world "love" as an unlimited amount of the most wonderful things in the world, for him, subjectively, pizza and ice cream. "Love is a mountain of pizza flavored ice cream...and delusion" he then tells us.Sleepwalk With Me is a wonderful, wholesome comedy mainly because it shows the slow, methodical progression of a struggling comedian battling with his girlfriend, his fear of commitment, the lack of support from his parents, and most of all, his lack of confidence combating with his extreme drive. His only wish in the world it seems is to be able to be good at his passion, and it becomes increasingly hard when his moral support proportions are dwindling and his own life isn't too picture perfect either. But one can turn that around to a positive and say it provides the man with more viable material. Sure as hell beats tired puns on stage at a hometown bar, wouldn't you say? Starring: Mike Birbiglia, Lauren Ambrose, Carol Kane, James Rebhorn, and Cristin Milioti. Directed by: Mike Birbiglia.

As much as I could relate to the anguish of our lead character and everyone around him who just seem to irritate him and cramp his style, the film was on the whole sad. Maybe it's too much to expect that a comedic film might have a few lines that actually make you laugh.My favorite scene was after his gig at the college in Utica. He walks into his room at the cheap motel and starts jumping on his bed. He's thrilled that he actually just got paid to do a show. He's on his way to attaining his dreams however humble they may be. I considered that the films only rejoiceful moment.The actress playing his agent was a highlight. Any scene with her put a smile on my face.In any case This American Life is incredible and I am looking forward to any films that they may produce in the future. Sleepwalk is a good start.

Really boring movie for a supposed "comedy." There is very little to write about and most of the movie is just one, long, dull flat-line. The main character is boring, the plot is almost non-existent and there was maybe one or two lines through the whole thing that even warranted a chuckle. I generously gave it 5 stars ONLY because in contrast, I've seen some REALLY horrible movies.I have no idea what else to say about this movie but apparently am required to write at least 10 lines.The only interesting aspect of the flick are the times where you're not sure if he's dreaming or not which forces you to pay extra close attention. Otherwise, you may very well find yourself falling asleep to this which is the last thing you'd expect when you turn on a comedy.