Sleepwalk with Me is a 2012 American indie comedy film written by, directed by, and starring comedian Mike Birbiglia.
A comedy for anyone who's ever had a dream. And then jumped out a window…
“I'm going to tell you a story, and it's true… I always have to tell people that.” So asserts comedian-turned-playwright-turned-filmmaker Mike Birbiglia at the outset of his autobiographically inspired, fictional feature debut.
A struggling stand-up, Matt is worried that everyone in his life thinks the best thing about him is his girlfriend, Abby. When his sister announces she's getting married, Matt's comfortable relationship is kicked into overdrive, and soon he finds himself struggling with the stress of a stalled career and Abby's expectations. To make matters worse, the wild spurts of severe sleepwalking have become too extreme to ignore…
Produced by THIS AMERICAN LIFE host Ira Glass, SLEEPWALK WITH ME is led by Mike Birbiglia and an all star cast including Lauren Ambrose (SIX FEET UNDER), Carol Kane (TAXI) and James Rebhorn (MEET THE PARENTS).
Special Features
- Australian/NZ exclusive interview with director/star Mike Birbiglia
- Q&A panel with director/star Mike Birbiglia and producer Ira Glass, moderated by Joss Whedon (THE AVENGERS, BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER)
- Heaps more special features including a Making Of, Behind the Scenes Shorts and Audio Commentary with Mike Birbiglia and Ira Glass!
Awards
- Won Sundance Film Festival, Audience Award Best of Next! (2012)
- Won NBR Award, Top Ten Independent Films (2012)
- Won Nantucket Film Festival, Writer/Director Award (2012)
- Nominated Gotham Award, Breakthrough Award Mike Birbiglia (2012)
Sleepwalk With Me Movie Reviews
“A dream for fans of offbeat, well-written, subtly acted projects.” USA Today
“I like this movie. More important, I like Mike Birbiglia in it. Whether he has a future in stand-up I cannot say, but he has a future as a monologist and actor.” Roger Ebert
“A smart, neurotic slice-of-life comedy about a stand-up comic with confidence issues, commitment issues, and career issues.” Philadelphia Enquirer
“It's a tribute to Birbiglia's storytelling chops that the most engaging part of the film is when he's talking directly to the camera. The fleshed-out story, with its first-rate cast, almost feels like gilding the lily.” New York Post
“It's a film of great humor and insight, but most importantly, it retains Birbiglia's personality, keeping the master of ceremonies and his whirlwind life of heartache and nocturnal activity beautifully intact.” Blu-ray.com
“It's like nothing I've ever seen, sort of Funny People crossed with Annie Hall by way of Lost Highway.” Film Threat
“blend of humour, heart and pathos, Sleepwalk with Me, makes perfect use of Birbiglia’s comedic voice to elevate what might otherwise be a slight story into a highly enjoyable time at the movies.” Sound on Sight
“Feats of raconteur storytelling are always tricky to translate into something effective and fluid enough to be movieworthy. But Sleepwalk With Me sticks the landing.” Entertainment Weekly
“Walking a fine line between darkly compassionate comedy, biting reality, striking low-budget fantasy and harsh psychological honesty, this modest but most disarming offering from funnyman Birbiglia is one of those pics that unexpectedly grows on you.” Rip it Up
“With warmth, unsparing self-awareness and that ineffable Everyman appeal sometimes called "relatability,” Birbiglia proves to be as engaging a presence on the screen as he has been all these years onstage and over the radio waves." Washington Post
“The film emerged out of Birbiglia's one-man award-winning Broadway show of the same name, and as a result has many touches, including a direct to camera address, that give it the feel of an autobiography. The elaborate, emotional and funny stories caught the attention of the producer of acclaimed US public radio series This American Life, Ira Glass. Working together, the two set about transferring Birbiglia's show to the big screen in such a way that it would encapsulate a comedic emotional journey and show what it was like living in the trenches of the world of stand-up comedy when your career is stalled at the gate…Managing to be funny, insightful and heartfelt at the same time without slipping into melodrama or cheesiness, Sleepwalk With Me also benefits from an extremely relatable and understated performance from Birbiglia.” eyeforfilm.co.uk