Funny Ha Ha (2003)

Even with the homemade look and feel of a student film, Andrew Bujalski's Funny Ha Ha manages to be a fairly engaging romantic comedy despite its obviously low production values. Kate Dollenmayer makes a pleasant protagonist as Marnie, a twentysomething college graduate with a sincere smile and regular problems. Her cycle of drinking, eating, and working is a comfortable background for the main romantic plot. The rest of the unknown cast of nonactors stammer through their improvised dialogue, but at least the bad acting is low key. The off-the-cuff comic moments feel natural and the painfully awkward moments are lightly developed. For instance, when Marnie runs into Alex and his new wife at the grocery store, the nervous energy is all too familiar. Similarly, Mitchell's problematic courting of Marnie is full of the tense, talky banter of real life. Bujalski seems to have a knack for observing friendly meandering conversation while not deviating from the story too far. Other than the slow pace, lack of musical score, and abrupt ending, Funny Ha Ha is a smart and unassuming little independent film that doesn't insult its audience by trying to be anything else. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide