The movie does what it says on the tin. It's Kind of a Funny Story is kind of funny with a story.
Teenager Craig (Keir Gilchrist) is feeling depressed and has a million things on his mind. He's head over heels in love with his best friend's girlfriend and he has an application to a prestigious school he hasn't yet started. So, one day, he checks himself into a psychiatric hospital on a whim.
There he befriends fellow patients Bobby (Zach Galifianakis), who becomes something of a surrogate father to him, and Noelle (Emma Roberts), who shows him the ropes. As Craig joins in ward activities, he begins to regain his self-worth.
Funny Story does a great job of externalising Craig's internal thoughts as the protagonist pictures himself in different scenarios and narrates his own perceived existence.
On the downside, the film fails to evoke sympathy in the viewer for Craig's struggles. Gilchrist is hardly to blame, though. He takes after a young Keanu Reeves in looks and he also displays considerable acting skills that remind you of Michael Cera in his trademark socially awkward roles.
Never before has a title been so apt. The film is mildly amusing, but it certainly won't leave you in stitches - not even with spaced-out Galifianakis doling out his punch lines.