“Don’t Think Twice” Looks Inside Improvisational Comedy
By Skip Sheffield
For a movie about comedy, “Don’t Think Twice” is a bit
depressing. Stand-up comics do not have it easy. Every time they get onstage
they face judge and jury in their audience. Some audiences are kinder than
others, but inevitably comedians will get their feelings hurt. Comedian Charlie
Chaplin explained the paradox most eloquently in his song “Smile.”
“Don’t Think Twice” is an ensemble comedy starring actual
improvisational comedians in a fictional Chicago comedy troupe called The
Commune. Writer-director Mike Birbiglia was obviously inspired by Chicago’s
famed Second City, which since 1955 has been a farm team for some great talents
like John Belushi, John Candy, Bill Murray, Gilda Radner, Harold Ramis, Tina
Fey and many, many more.
Birbiglia is one of a half-dozen improvisational comics
playing fictional versions of themselves. The lead character of Jack is played
by Keegan-Michael Key, who is half of the comedy duo of Key and Jordan Peele.
In the movie his partner is an attractive blond woman named Samantha (Gillian
Jacobs). Other Commune members are Shy Sarah (Emily Skeggs), little Allison
(Kate Micucci), plus-sized outgoing Lindsay (Tami Sagher), balding, bespeckled
Bill (Chris Gethard) and exotic Amy (Sunita Mani).
The group aspires to win a spot on the comedy variety show
“Weekend Live,” which is obviously inspired by “Saturday Night Live.” A problem
arises. Jack kills at his audition and is accepted as a provisional member of
Weekend Live. Sam was so nervous she didn’t even show up for the audition. Will
Jack leave his loyal friends in the dust for TV stardom? An unlikely hero
emerges in the face of yet another crisis with the troupe. Comedy is never
easy. Improvisational comedy is the hardest of all. If you would like an inside
look at the anxieties of performance, “Don’t Think Twice” is a good place to
start.
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