The Cinematheque
Sleepwalk with Me
by Mike Birbiglia.

Date and Venue 17 April 2013 @ 8pm | The Cinémathèque 1161 Howe St., Vancouver

Reviewer Karen Fitzgibbon


This is a humorous film on one hand and not so humorous on the other, that is if you happen to have the same problem as Matt does in this film.Do you ever wonder why you are outside in your pyjamas in the middle of the night?

This independent film written by and starring Mike Birbiglia is fun but it also makes us aware that sleepwalking can be dangerous. It's a comedy based on a true story. The film opens with Matt narrating the story of his woes while driving his car. He begins to tell us where  his problems started. Matt takes us on his journey where he is trying to make a living as a comedian.

Life would be great; however, he has REM Sleep Behavior Disorder. He moves in with his long time girlfriend whom he is not really sure he wants to marry. Because he can’t be honest about his feelings towards her and marriage, the stress presents itself in bizarre dreams in which he sleepwalks.The more in denial he is the worse his sleepwalking becomes.

The audience during the screening were mostly students and professionals in psychiatry and psychology. The film is refreshing for its storyline and unique presentation. Birbiglia sinks himself hook, line and sinker into his role and the result is a very successful comedy. I could not help but feel sorry for this poor fellow who had no control of his dreams and was finding himself in the oddest places in the wee hours of the morning.

I enjoyed this film and I look forward to seeing more of his films. It premiered at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival and won the Best of NEXT Audience Award.

© 2013 Karen Fitzgibbon