Sleepwalk with Me

If you’re a fan of innovative radio show This American Life, the fact that host Ira Glass both produced the film Sleepwalk with Me and co-wrote the script with director/star Mike Birbligia is probably all the recommendation you need to see it. Based on Birbiglia’s autobiographical one-man show, this charming, insightful and very funny movie fuses a myriad of storytelling techniques into a unique, satisfying whole. In this it somewhat resembles Glass’s radio program, which alternates documentary stories with fictional pieces to explore its chosen themes.

Names have been changed and events reordered for dramatic purposes, but these details apart, Sleepwalk with Me faithfully recreates a chaotic period in Birbilglia’s life. His alter ego ‘Matt Pandamiglio’ is a struggling stand-up comedian with a beautiful and successful girlfriend, Abby. When Matt’s sister announces her engagement, Abby starts dropping hints in the same direction, but he isn’t ready to take their relationship to the next level until he’s got his own life in order. It sounds like the premise for a million rom-coms, except that Matt’s anxiety triggers a series of increasingly dramatic and dangerous sleepwalking incidents which start to affect his waking life.

Birbiglia is an endearing antihero, whose keen-eyed self-awareness makes him a sympathetic character even during episodes of highly questionable behaviour (‘before I tell you this part of the story, I want to remind you that you’re on my side’). Re-enactments of his early, disastrous stand-up gigs are cringingly merciless, and the dream sequences break away from the conventions of traditional cinematic dreams to more closely resemble the ludicrous but deadpan logic of the subconscious.  

The supporting cast is excellent, especially Lauren Ambrose (Six Feet Under) as adorable, long-suffering Abby, and Carol Kane and James Rebhorn as Matt’s bickering parents. Several comedians make brief cameos – including the ever-droll Kristen Schaal (Flight of the Conchords) – and Ira Glass also pops up in one scene, so This American Life fans should keep their eyes and ears open for that. 

The DVD includes a number of special features, the highlight of which is unquestionably a Q&A session with Birbiglio and Glass, moderated by Buffy the Vampire Slayer creator (and occasional TAL guest) Joss Whedon. Characteristically self-effacing Glass mostly sits back to let Birbiglio and Whedon goof off and trade mock insults, but once they settle down some fascinating insights into the filmmaking process do emerge.    

None of this is to say that you need to be familiar with This American Life to enjoy the movie. By any standards, Sleepwalk with Me is an achingly well-observed, compulsively enjoyable comedy-drama about relationships, ambition, family and pizza-flavoured ice-cream.  

Image: A still from the film